High energy visible light filter systems with yellowness index values

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to ophthalmic and non-ophthalmic systems with blue light filtering and Yellowness Index ranges. UV and IR filtering are also included. Industrial applications are also outlined in the invention.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/792,247, filed Oct. 24, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/497,013, filed Sep. 25, 2014, which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/174,998, filed Jul. 1,2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/361,677, filed Jul. 6, 2010. U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/174,998 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.11/933,069, filed Oct. 31, 2007, which claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/761,892, filed Jun. 12, 2007, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/378,317,filed Mar. 20, 2006 and which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/812,628, filed Jun. 12, 2006. U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/933,069 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/892,460, filed Aug. 23, 2007, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/839,432, filed Aug. 23,2006, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/841,502, filed Sep. 1, 2006,and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/861,247, filed Nov. 28, 2006.U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/933,069 also claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/978,175, filed Oct. 8, 2007. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/174,998 also claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/440,941, filed on Feb. 9, 2011, U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/415,890, filed on Nov. 22, 2010, and U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/377,603, filed on Aug. 27, 2010. All ofthese applications are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electromagnetic radiation from the sun continuously bombards the Earth'satmosphere. Light is made up of electromagnetic radiation that travelsin waves. The electromagnetic spectrum includes radio waves, millimeterwaves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultra-violet (UVA and UVB),x-rays, and gamma rays. The visible light spectrum includes the longestvisible light wavelength of approximately 700 nm and the shortest ofapproximately 400 nm (nanometers or 10⁻⁹ meters). Blue light wavelengthsfall in the approximate range of 400 nm to 500 nm. For the ultra-violetbands, UVB wavelengths are from 290 nm to 320 nm, and UVA wavelengthsare from 320 nm to 400 nm. Gamma and x-rays make up the higherfrequencies of this spectrum and are absorbed by the atmosphere. Thewavelength spectrum of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is 100-400 nm. MostUVR wavelengths are absorbed by the atmosphere, except where there areareas of stratospheric ozone depletion. Over the last 20 years, therehas been documented depletion of the ozone layer primarily due toindustrial pollution. Increased exposure to UVR has broad public healthimplications as an increased burden of UVR ocular and skin disease is tobe expected.

The ozone layer absorbs wavelengths up to 286 nm, thus shielding livingbeings from exposure to radiation with the highest energy. However, weare exposed to wavelengths above 286 nm, most of which falls within thehuman visual spectrum (400-700 nm). The human retina responds only tothe visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The shorterwavelengths pose the greatest hazard because they inversely contain moreenergy. Blue light has been shown to be the portion of the visiblespectrum that produces the most photochemical damage to animal retinalpigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Exposure to these wavelengths has beencalled the blue light hazard because these wavelengths are perceived asblue by the human eye.

Cataracts and macular degeneration are widely thought to result fromphotochemical damage to the intraocular lens and retina, respectively.Blue light exposure has also been shown to accelerate proliferation ofuveal melanoma cells. The most energetic photons in the visible spectrumhave wavelengths between 380 and 500 nm and are perceived as violet orblue. The wavelength dependence of phototoxicity summed over allmechanisms is often represented as an action spectrum, such as isdescribed in Mainster and Sparrow, “How Much Blue Light Should an IOLTransmit?” Br. J. Ophthalmol., 2003, v. 87, pp. 1523-29 and FIG. 6. Ineyes without an intraocular lens (aphakic eyes), light with wavelengthsshorter than 400 nm can cause damage. In phakic eyes, this light isabsorbed by the intraocular lens and therefore does not contribute toretinal phototoxicity; however it can cause optical degradation of thelens or cataracts.

The pupil of the eye responds to the photopic retinal illuminance, introlands (a unit of conventional retinal illuminance; a method forcorrecting photometric measurements of luminance values impinging on thehuman eye by scaling them by the effective pupil size), which is theproduct of the incident flux with the wavelength-dependent sensitivityof the retina and the projected area of the pupil. This sensitivity isdescribed in Wyszecki and Stiles, Color Science: Concepts and Methods,Quantitative Data and Formulae (Wiley: New York) 1982, esp. pages102-107.

Current research strongly supports the premise that short wavelengthvisible light (blue light) having a wavelength of approximately 400-500nm could be a contributing cause of AMD (age related maculardegeneration). It is believed that the highest level of blue lightabsorption occurs in a region around 430 nm, such as 400-460 nm.Research further suggests that blue light worsens other causativefactors in AMD, such as heredity, tobacco smoke, and excessive alcoholconsumption.

The human retina includes multiple layers. These layers listed in orderfrom the first exposed to any light entering the eye to the deepestinclude:

-   -   1) Nerve Fiber Layer    -   2) Ganglion Cells    -   3) Inner Plexiform Layer    -   4) Bipolar and Horizontal Cells    -   5) Outer Plexiform Layer    -   6) Photoreceptors (Rods and Cones)    -   7) Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE)    -   8) Bruch's Membrane    -   9) Choroid

When light is absorbed by the eye's photoreceptor cells, (rods andcones) the cells bleach and become unreceptive until they recover. Thisrecovery process is a metabolic process and is called die “visualcycle.” Absorption of blue light has been shown to reverse this processprematurely. This premature reversal increases the risk of oxidativedamage and is believed to lead to the buildup of the pigment lipofuscinin the retina. This build up occurs in the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE) layer. It is believed that aggregates of extra-cellular materialscalled drusen are formed due to the excessive amounts of lipofuscin.

Current research indicates that over the course of one's life, beginningwith that of an infant, metabolic waste byproducts accumulate within thepigment epithelium layer of the retina, due to light interactions withthe retina. This metabolic waste product is characterized by certainfluorophores, one of the most prominent being lipofuscin constituentA2E. In vitro studies by Sparrow indicate that lipofuscin chromophoreA2E found within the RPE is maximally excited by 430 nm light. It istheorized that a tipping point is reached when a combination of abuild-up of this metabolic waste (specifically the lipofuscinfluorophore) has achieved a certain level of accumulation, the humanbody's physiological ability to metabolize within the retina certain ofthis waste has diminished as one reaches a certain age threshold, and ablue light stimulus of the proper wavelength causes drusen to be formedin the RPE layer. It is believed that the drusen then further interferewith the normal physiology/metabolic activity which allows for theproper nutrients to get to the photoreceptors thus contributing toage-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause ofirreversible severe visual acuity loss in the United States and WesternWorld. The burden of AMD is expected to increase dramatically in thenext 20 years because of the projected shift in population and theoverall increase in the number of ageing individuals.

Drusen hinder or block the RPE layer from providing the proper nutrientsto the photoreceptors, which leads to damage or even death of thesecells. To further complicate this process, it appears that whenlipofuscin absorbs blue light in high quantities it becomes toxic,causing further damage and/or death of the RPE cells. It is believedthat the lipofuscin constituent A2E is at least partly responsible forthe short wavelength sensitivity of RPE cells. A2E has been shown to bemaximally excited by blue light; the photochemical events resulting fromsuch excitation can lead to cell death. See, for example, Janet R.Sparrow et al., “Blue light-absorbing intraocular lens and retinalpigment epithelium protection in vitro,” J. Cataract Refract. Surg.2004. vol. 30, pp. 873-78.

From a theoretical perspective, the following appears to take place:

-   -   1) Waste buildup occurs within the pigment epithelial level        starting from infancy throughout life.    -   2) Retinal metabolic activity and ability to deal with this        waste typically diminish with age.    -   3) The macula pigment typically decreases as one ages, thus        filtering out less blue light.    -   4) Blue light causes the lipofuscin to become toxic. The        resulting toxicity damages pigment epithelial cells.

The lighting and vision care industries have standards as to humanvision exposure to UVA and UVB radiation. Surprisingly, no such standardis in place with regard to blue light. For example, in the commonfluorescent tubes available today, the glass envelope mostly blocksultra-violet light but blue light is transmitted with littleattenuation. In some cases, the envelope is designed to have enhancedtransmission in the blue region of the spectrum. Such artificial sourcesof light hazard may also cause eye damage.

Laboratory evidence by Sparrow at Columbia University has shown that ifabout 50% of the blue light within the wavelength rare of 430±30 nm isblocked, RPE cell death caused by the blue light may be reduced by up to80%. External eyewear such as sunglasses, spectacles, goggles, andcontact lenses that block blue light in an attempt to improve eye healthare disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,430 to Pratt. Otherophthalmic devices whose object is to protect the retina from thisphototoxic light include intraocular and contact lenses. Theseophthalmic devices are positioned in the optical path betweenenvironmental light and the retina and generally contain or are coatedwith dyes that selectively absorb blue and violet light.

Other lenses are known that attempt to decrease chromatic aberration byblocking blue light. Chromatic aberration is caused by opticaldispersion of ocular media including the cornea, intraocular lens,aqueous humour, and vitreous humour. This dispersion focuses blue lightat a different image plane than light at longer wavelengths, leading todefocus of the full color image. Conventional blue blocking lenses aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,862. to Patel et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,662,707 to Jinkerson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,175 to Johansen, and U.S.Pat. No. 4,878,748 to Johansen.

Conventional methods for reducing blue light exposure of ocular mediatypically completely occlude light below a threshold wavelength, whilealso reducing light exposure at longer wavelengths. For example, thelenses described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,430 to Pratt transmit less than40% of the incident light at wavelengths as long as 650 nm; as shown inFIG. 6 of Pratt '430. The blue-light blocking lens disclosed by Johansenand Diffendaffer in U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,175 similarly attenuates lightby more than 60% throughout the visible spectrum, as illustrated in FIG.3 of the '175 patent.

Balancing the range and amount of blocked blue light may be difficult,as blocking and/or inhibiting blue light affects color balance, colorvision if one looks through the optical device, and the color in whichthe optical device is perceived. For example, shooting glasses appearbright yellow and block blue light. The shooting glasses often causecertain colors to become more apparent when one is looking into a bluesky, allowing for the shooter to see the object being targeted soonerand more accurately. While this works well for shooting glasses, itwould be unacceptable for many ophthalmic applications. In particular,such ophthalmic systems may be cosmetically unappealing because of ayellow or amber tint that is produced in lenses by blue blocking. Morespecifically, one common technique for blue blocking involves tinting ordyeing lenses with a blue blocking tint, such as BPI Filter Vision 450or BPI Diamond Dye 500. The tinting may be accomplished, for example, byimmersing the lens in a heated tint pot containing a blue blocking dyesolution for some predetermined period of time. Typically, the solutionhas a yellow or amber color and thus imparts a yellow or amber tint tothe lens. To many people, the appearance of this yellow or amber tintmay be undesirable cosmetically. Moreover, the tint may interfere withthe normal color perception of a lens user, making it difficult, forexample, to correctly perceive the color of a traffic light or sign.

Efforts have been made to compensate for the yellowing effect ofconventional blue blocking filters. For example, blue blocking lenseshave been treated with additional dyes, such as blue, red or green dyes,to offset the yellowing effect. The treatment causes the additional dyesto become intermixed with the original blue blocking dyes. However,while this technique may reduce yellow in a blue blocked lens,intermixing of the dyes may reduce the effectiveness of the blueblocking by allowing more of the blue light spectrum through. Moreover,these conventional techniques undesirably reduce the overalltransmission of light wavelengths other than blue light wavelengths.This unwanted reduction may in turn result in reduced visual acuity fora lens user.

It has been found that conventional blue-blocking reduces visibletransmission, which in turn stimulates dilation of the pupil. Dilationof the pupil increases the flux of light to the internal eye structuresincluding the intraocular lens and retina. Since the radiant flux tothese structures increases as the square of the pupil diameter, a lensthat blocks half of the blue light but, with reduced visibletransmission, relaxes the pupil from 2 mm to 3 mm diameter will actuallyincrease the dose of blue photons to the retina by 12.5%. Protection ofthe retina from phototoxic light depends on the amount of this lightthat impinges on the retina, which depends on the transmissionproperties of the ocular media and also on the dynamic aperture of thepupil. Previous work to date has been silent on the contribution of thepupil to prophylaxis of phototoxic blue light.

Another problem with conventional blue-blocking is that it can degradenight vision. Blue light is more important for low-light level orscotopic vision than for bright light or photopic vision, a result whichis expressed quantitatively in the luminous sensitivity spectra forscotopic and photopic vision. Photochemical and oxidative reactionscause the absorption of 400 to 450 nm light by intraocular lens tissueto increase naturally with age. Although the number of rodphotoreceptors on the retina that are responsible for low-light visionalso decreases with age, the increased absorption by the intraocularlens is important to degrading night vision. For example, scotopicvisual sensitivity is reduced by 33% in a 53 year-old intraocular lensand 75% in a 75 year-old lens. The tension between retinal protectionand scotopic sensitivity is further described in Mainster and Sparrow,“How Much Light Should and IOL Transmit?” Br. J. Ophthalmol., 2003, v.87, pp 1523-29.

Conventional approaches to blue blocking also may include cutoff orhigh-pass filters to reduce the transmission below a specified blue orviolet wavelength to zero. For example, all light below a thresholdwavelength may be blocked completely or almost completely. For example,U.S. Pub. Patent Application No. 2005/0243272 to Mainster and Mainster,“Intraocular Lenses Should Block UV Radiation and Violet but not BlueLight,” Arch. Ophthal., v. 123, p. 550 (2005) describe the blocking ofall light below a threshold wavelength between 400 and 450 nm. Suchblocking may be undesirable, since as the edge of the long-pass filteris shifted to longer wavelengths, dilation of the pupil acts to increasethe total flux. As previously described, this can degrade scotopicsensitivity and increase color distortion.

Recently there has been debate in the field of intraocular lenses (IOLs)regarding appropriate UV and blue light blocking while maintainingacceptable photopic vision, scotopic vision, color vision, and circadianrhythms.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an ophthalmic system thatcan provide one or more of the following:

-   -   1) Blue blocking with an acceptable level of blue light        protection    -   2) Acceptable color cosmetics, i.e., it is perceived as mostly        color neutral by someone observing the ophthalmic system when        worn by a wearer.    -   3) Acceptable color perception for a user. In particular, there        is a need for an ophthalmic system that will not impair the        wearer's color vision and further that reflections from the back        surface of the system into the eye of the wearer be at a level        of not being objectionable to the wearer.    -   4) Acceptable level of light transmission for wavelengths other        than blue light wavelengths. In particular, there is a need for        an ophthalmic system that allows for selective blockage of        wavelengths of blue light while at the same time transmitting in        excess of 80% of visible light.    -   5) Acceptable photopic vision, scotopic vision, color vision,        and/or circadian rhythms.

In order to provide this optimal ophthalmic system it is desirable toinclude standardized Yellowness Index ranges, whereby the upper end ofsaid range closely borders a cosmetically unacceptable yellow color.

This need exists as more and more data is pointing to blue light as oneof the possible contributory factors in macular degeneration (theleading cause of blindness in the industrialized world) and otherretinal diseases such as uveal melanoma referenced in entirety in “TheEffect of Blue Light Exposure in an Ocular Melanoma Animal Model” J ExpClin Cancer Res. 2009; 28(1): 48.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An ophthalmic lens is provided specifically adapted through use of a dyeto selectively inhibit transmission of visible light between 450±50 nm,wherein the lens has a yellowness index not more than 35.0.

It is further provided a lens as described above that inhibits at least5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, morepreferably at least 30%, or more preferably at least 40% of light havinga wavelength of X±15 nm of light having a wavelength of X±15 nm, where Xis a wavelength in the range of 415-485 nm.

Also provided is a lens as described above that selectively inhibitstransmission of at least two different ranges of wavelengths selectedfrom the range of 450±50 nm.

A lens as described above is provided that blocks at least 5%,preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferablyat least 30%, or more preferably at least 40% of light having awavelength of X1±15 nm, and at least 40% of the light having awavelength of X2±15 nm, where X1 is a wavelength in the range of 415-485nm and X2 is a wavelength different from X1 and in the range of 415-485nm.

A lens as described above is provided that transmits at least 80% of alllight wavelengths in the range of 400-500 nm, except light wavelengthsat X1±15 nm and X2±15 nm, where X1 is a wavelength in the range of415-485 nm and X2 is a wavelength different from X1 and in the range415-485 nm.

It is further provided a lens as described above where the lens is acontact lens. The contact lens may have a yellowness index of not morethan 27.5 or more preferably not more than 20.0

A lens as described above is provided where the lens is a contact lensand blocks at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably atleast 20%, more preferably at least 30% or more preferably at least 40%of light having a wavelength of X±15 nm of light having a wavelength of450±50 nm, while having a luminous transmission of at least 80%.

A lens as described above is provided where the lens is a contact lensand selectively inhibits visible light between 430±30 nm. This contactlens may also block at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, morepreferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferablyat least 40%, or more preferably at least 50% of light having awavelength of X±15 nm % of light having a wavelength of 430±30 nm, whilehaving a luminous transmission of at least 80%.

A lens as described above is provided where the lens is a contact lensand selectively inhibits visible light between 435±20 nm.

A lens as described above is provided where the lens is a spectacle lensand has a yellowness index not more than 15.0 or preferably not morethan 12.5 or more preferably not more than 10.0.

A lens as described above is provided where the lens is a spectacle lensand blocks at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably atleast 20%, more preferably at least 30%, or more preferably at least 40%of light having a wavelength of 450±50 nm, while having a luminoustransmission of at least 80%.

A lens as described above is provided where the lens is a spectacle lensand selectively inhibits visible light between 430±30 nm. This spectaclelens may also block at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, morepreferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferablyat least 40%, or more preferably at least 50% of light having awavelength of 430±30 nm, while having a luminous transmission of atleast 80%.

A lens as described above is provided where the lens is a spectacle lensand selectively inhibits visible light between 435±20 nm.

A lens as described above is provided where the lens is an intraocularlens. The contact lens may have a yellowness index of not more than 35.0or preferably not more than 23.0 or more preferably not more than 15.0.

A lens as described above is provided where the lens is an intraocularlens and blocks at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably atleast 20%, more preferably at least 30%, or more preferably at least 40%of light having a wavelength of 450±50 nm, while having a luminoustransmission of at least 80%.

A lens as described above is provided where the lens is an intraocularlens and selectively inhibits visible light between 430±30 nm. This anintraocular may also block at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, morepreferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferablyat least 40%, or more preferably at least 50% of light having awavelength of 430±30 nm, while having a luminous transmission of atleast 80%.

A lens as described above is provided where the lens is an intraocularlens and selectively inhibits visible light between 435±20 nm.

A lens as described above is provided that may also selectively inhibittransmission of light within the UV wavelength range.

A lens as described above is provided where the lens contains a dye thatcauses the lens to selectively inhibit transmission of visible lightbetween 450±50 nm. The dye may be selected from the following:bilirubin; chlorophyll a, diethyl ether; chlorophyll a, methanol;chlorophyll b; diprotonated-tetraphenylporphyrin; hematin; magnesiumoctaethylporphyrin; magnesium octaethylporphyrin (MgOEP); magnesiumphthalocyanine (MgPc), PrOH; magnesium phthalocyanine (MgPc), pyridine;magnesium tetramesitylporphyrin (MgTMP); magnesium tetraphenylporphyrin(MgTPP); octaethylporphyrin; phthalocyanine (Pc); porphin;tetra-t-butylazaporphine; tetra-t-butylnaphthalocyanine;tetrakis(2,6-dichlorphenyl)porphyrin; tetrakis(o-aminophenyl)porphyrin;tetramesitylporphyrin (TMP); tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP); vitamin B12;zinc octaethylporphyrin (ZnOEP); zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), pyridine;zinc tetramesitylporphyrin (ZnTMP); zinc tetramesitylporphyrin radicalcation; zinc tetrapheynlporphyrin (ZnTPP); perylene and derivativesthereof.

A lens as described above is provided where the lens contains a dyewhere the dye is perylene or magnesium tetramesitylporphyrin (MgTMP) ormagnesium tetraphenylporphyrin (MgTPP).

A non-ophthalmic material is provided specifically adapted toselectively inhibit transmission of visible light between 450±50 nm,wherein the lens has a yellowness index not more than 35.0.

A non-ophthalmic material as described above is provided that blocks atleast 5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, morepreferably at least 30%, or more preferably at least 40% of light havinga wavelength of 450±50 nm, while having a luminous transmission of atleast 80%.

A non-ophthalmic material as described above is provided thatselectively inhibits visible light between 430±30 nm.

A non-ophthalmic material as described above is provided thatselectively inhibits visible light between 435±20 nm.

A non-ophthalmic material as described above is provided where theyellowness index is not more than 23.0 or preferably not more than 15.0.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows an example of an ophthalmic system including a posteriorblue blocking component and an anterior color balancing component.

FIG. 1B shows another example of an ophthalmic system including aposterior blue blocking component and an anterior color balancingcomponent.

FIG. 2 shows an example of using a dye resist to form an ophthalmicsystem.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary system with a blue blocking componentand a color balancing component integrated into a clear or mostly clearophthalmic lens.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary ophthalmic system formed using anin-mold coating.

FIG. 5 illustrates the bonding of two ophthalmic components.

FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary ophthalmic systems using anti-reflectivecoatings.

FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary combination of a blue blockingcomponent, a color balancing component, and an ophthalmic component.

FIG. 7B illustrates another exemplary combination of a blue blockingcomponent, a color balancing component, and an ophthalmic component.

FIG. 7C illustrates another exemplary combination of a blue blockingcomponent, a color balancing component, and an ophthalmic component.

FIG. 8A shows an example of an ophthalmic system including amulti-functional blue blocking and color-balancing component.

FIG. 8B shows another example of an ophthalmic system including amulti-functional blue blocking and color-balancing component.

FIG. 9 shows a reference of observed colors that correspond to variousCIE coordinates.

FIG. 10 shows the transmission of the GENTEX E465 absorbing dye.

FIG. 11 shows the absorbance of the GENTEX E465 absorbing dye.

FIG. 12 shows the transmittance of a polycarbonate substrate with a dyeconcentration suitable for absorbing in the 430 nm range.

FIG. 13 shows the transmittance as a function of wavelength of apolycarbonate substrate with an antireflective coating.

FIG. 14 shows the color plot of a polycarbonate substrate with anantireflective coating.

FIG. 15 shows the transmittance as a function of wavelength of anuncoated polycarbonate substrate and a polycarbonate substrate with anantireflective coating on both surfaces.

FIG. 16 shows the spectral transmittance of a 106 nm layer of TiO₂ on apolycarbonate substrate.

FIG. 17 shows the color plot of a 106 nm layer of TiO₂ on apolycarbonate substrate.

FIG. 18 shows the spectral transmittance of a 134 nm layer of TiO₂ on apolycarbonate substrate.

FIG. 19 shows the color plot of a 134 nm layer of TiO₂ on apolycarbonate substrate.

FIG. 20 shows the spectral transmittance of a modified AR coatingsuitable for color balancing a substrate having a blue absorbing dye.

FIG. 21 shows the color plot of a modified AR coating suitable for colorbalancing a substrate having a blue absorbing dye.

FIG. 22 shows the spectral transmittance of a substrate having a blueabsorbing dye.

FIG. 23 shows the color plot of a substrate having a blue absorbing dye.

FIG. 24 shows the spectral transmittance of a substrate having a blueabsorbing dye and a rear AR coating.

FIG. 25 shows the color plot of a substrate having a blue absorbing dyeand a rear AR coating.

FIG. 26 shows the spectral transmittance of a substrate having a blueabsorbing dye and AR coatings on the front and rear surfaces.

FIG. 27 shows the color plot of a substrate having a blue absorbing dyeand AR coatings on the front and rear surfaces.

FIG. 28 shows the spectral transmittance of a substrate having a blueabsorbing dye and a color balancing AR coating.

FIG. 29 shows the color plot of a substrate having a blue absorbing dyeand a color balancing AR coating.

FIG. 30 shows an exemplary ophthalmic device comprising a film.

FIG. 31 shows the optical transmission characteristic of an exemplaryfilm.

FIG. 32 shows an exemplary ophthalmic system comprising a film.

FIG. 33 shows an exemplary system comprising a film.

FIG. 34A shows pupil diameter as a function of field illuminance.

FIG. 34B shows pupil area as a function of field illuminance.

FIG. 35 shows the transmission spectrum of a film that is doped withperylene dye where the product of concentration and path length yieldabout 33% transmission at about 437 nm.

FIG. 36 shows the transmission spectrum of a film according to thepresent invention with a perylene concentration about 2.27 times higherthan that illustrated in the previous figure.

FIG. 37 shows an exemplary transmission spectrum for a six-layer stackof SiO₂ and ZrO₂.

FIG. 38 shows reference color coordinates corresponding to Munsell tilesilluminated by a prescribed illuminant in (L*, a*, b*) color space.

FIG. 39A shows a histogram of the color shifts for Munsell color tilesfor a related filter. FIG. 39B shows a color shift induced by a relatedblue-blocking filter.

FIG. 40 shows a histogram of color shifts for a perylene-dyed substrateaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 41 shows the transmission spectrum of a system according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 42 shows a histogram summarizing color distortion of a deviceaccording to the present invention for Munsell tiles in daylight.

FIG. 43A shows representative series of skin reflectance spectra fromsubjects of different races.

FIG. 43B shows another representative series of skin reflectance spectrafrom subjects of different races.

FIG. 44 shows an exemplary skin reflectance spectrum for a Caucasiansubject.

FIG. 45 shows transmission spectra for various lenses.

FIG. 46 shows exemplary dyes.

FIG. 47 shows an ophthalmic system having a hard coat.

FIG. 48 shows the transmittance as a function of wavelength for aselective filter with strong absorption band around 430 nm.

FIG. 49A shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 49B shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 49C shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 49D shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 49E shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 49F shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 49G shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 49H shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 49I shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 49J shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 49K shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 49L shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 49M shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 49N shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 49O shows a double selective filter with two peaks within thevisible light spectrum along with some or all UV protection.

FIG. 50 shows the UV/visible light, excitation, and emission spectra ofA2E in methanol.

FIG. 51 shows cell viability in irradiated (430 nm) cultures of ARPE-19cells.

FIG. 52 shows quantification of viable RPE cells after A2E accumulationand blue light illumination (430 nm).

FIG. 53 shows the transmission spectra of MgTPP and Perylene inpolycarbonate.

FIG. 54 shows transmission spectra of MgTPP and Perylene for examplelenses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an ophthalmic system thatperforms effective blue blocking while at the same time providing acosmetically attractive product, normal or acceptable color perceptionfor a user, and a high level of transmitted light for good visualacuity. An ophthalmic system is provided that can provide an averagetransmission of 80% or better transmission of visible light, inhibitselective wavelengths of blue light (“blue blocking”), allow for thewearer's proper color vision performance, and provide a mostly colorneutral appearance to an observer looking at the wearer wearing such alens or lens system. As used herein, the “average transmission” of asystem refers to the average transmission at wavelengths in a range,such as the visible spectrum. A system also may be characterized by the“luminous transmission” of the system, which refers to an average in awavelength range, that is weighted according to the sensitivity of theeye at each wavelength. Systems described herein may use various opticalcoatings, films, materials, and absorbing dyes to produce the desiredeffect.

More specifically, embodiments of the invention may provide effectiveblue blocking in combination with color balancing. “Color balancing” or“color balanced” as used herein means that the yellow or amber color, orother unwanted effect of blue blocking is reduced, offset, neutralizedor otherwise compensated for so as to produce a cosmetically acceptableresult, without at the same time reducing the effectiveness of the blueblocking. For example, wavelengths at or near 400-460 nm may be blockedor reduced in intensity. In particular, for example, wavelengths at ornear 420-440 nm may be blocked or reduced in intensity. Furthermore,transmission of unblocked wavelengths may remain at a high level, forexample at least 80%. Additionally, to an external viewer, theophthalmic system may look clear or mostly clear. For a system user,color perception may be normal or acceptable.

An “ophthalmic system” as used here includes prescription ornon-prescription ophthalmic lenses used, e.g., for clear or tintedglasses (or spectacles), sunglasses, contact lenses with and withoutvisibility and/or cosmetic tinting, intra-ocular lenses (IOLs), cornealgrafts, corneal inlays, corneal on-lays, and electro-active ophthalmicdevices and may be treated or processed or combined with othercomponents to provide desired functionalities described in furtherdetail herein. Embodiments of the invention can be formulated so as toallow being applied directly into corneal tissue.

As used herein, an “ophthalmic material” is one commonly used tofabricate an ophthalmic system, such as a corrective lens. Exemplaryophthalmic materials include glass, plastics such as CR-39, Trivex, andpolycarbonate materials, though other materials may be used and areknown for various ophthalmic systems.

An ophthalmic system may include a blue blocking component posterior toa color-balancing component. Either of the blue blocking component orthe color balancing component may be, or form part of, an ophthalmiccomponent such as a lens. The posterior blue blocking component andanterior color balancing component may be distinct layers on or adjacentto or near a surface or surfaces of an ophthalmic lens. Thecolor-balancing component may reduce or neutralize a yellow or ambertint of the posterior blue blocking component, to produce a cosmeticallyacceptable appearance. For example, to an external viewer, theophthalmic system may look clear or mostly clear. For a system user,color perception may be normal or acceptable. Further, because the blueblocking and color balancing tints are not intermixed, wavelengths inthe blue light spectrum may be blocked or reduced in intensity and thetransmitted intensity of incident light in the ophthalmic system may beat least 80% for unblocked wavelengths.

As discussed previously, techniques for blue blocking are known. Theknown techniques to block blue light wavelengths include absorption,reflection, interference or any combination thereof. As discussedearlier, according to one technique, a lens may be tinted/dyed with ablue blocking tint, such as BPI Filter Vision 450 or BPI Diamond Dye500, in a suitable proportion or concentration. The tinting may beaccomplished, for example, by immersing the lens in a heated tint potcontaining a blue blocking dye solution for some predetermined period oftime. According to another technique, a filter is used for blueblocking. The filter could include, for example, organic or inorganiccompounds exhibiting absorption and/or reflection of and/or interferencewith blue light wavelengths. The filter could comprise multiple thinlayers or coatings of organic and/or inorganic substances. Each layermay have properties, which, either individually or in combination withother layers, absorbs, reflects or interferes with light having bluelight wavelengths. Rugate notch filters are one example of blue blockingfilters. Rugate filters are single thin films of inorganic dielectricsin which the refractive index oscillates continuously between high andlow values. Fabricated by the co-deposition of two materials ofdifferent refractive index (e.g. SiO2 and TiO2), rugate filters areknown to have very well defined stop-bands for wavelength blocking, withvery little attenuation outside the band. The construction parameters ofthe filter (oscillation period, refractive index modulation, number ofrefractive index oscillations) determine the performance parameters ofthe filter (center of the stop-band, width of the stop band,transmission within the band). Rugate filters are disclosed in moredetail in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,984,038 and 7,066,596, each ofwhich is by reference in its entirety. Another technique for blueblocking is the use of multi-layer dielectric stacks. Multi-layerdielectric stacks are fabricated by depositing discrete layers ofalternating high and low refractive index materials. Similarly to rugatefilters, design parameters such as individual layer thickness,individual layer refractive index, and number of layer repetitionsdetermine the performance parameters for multi-layer dielectric stacks.

Color balancing may comprise imparting, for example, a suitableproportion or concentration of blue tinting/dye, or a suitablecombination of red and green tinting/dyes to the color-balancingcomponent, such that when viewed by an external observer, the ophthalmicsystem as a whole has a cosmetically acceptable appearance. For example,the ophthalmic system as a whole may look clear or mostly clear.

FIG. 1A shows an ophthalmic system including a posterior blue blockingcomponent 101 and an anterior color balancing component 102. Eachcomponent has a concave posterior side or surface 110, 115 and a convexanterior side or surface 120, 125. In system 100, the posterior blueblocking component 101 may be or include an ophthalmic component, suchas a single vision lens, wafer or optical pre-form. The single visionlens, wafer or optical pre-form may be tinted or dyed to perform blueblocking. The anterior color balancing component 102 may comprise asurface cast layer, applied to the single vision lens, wafer or opticalpre-form according to known techniques. For example, the surface castlayer may be affixed or bonded to the single vision lens, wafer oroptical pre-form using visible or UV light, or a combination of the two.

The surface cast layer may be formed on the convex side of the singlevision lens, wafer or optical pre-form. Since the single vision lens,wafer or optical pre-form has been tinted or dyed to perform blueblocking, it may have a yellow or amber color that is undesirablecosmetically. Accordingly, the surface cast layer may, for example, betinted with a suitable proportion of blue tinting/dye, or a suitablecombination of red and green tinting/dyes.

The surface cast layer may be treated with color balancing additivesafter it is applied to the single vision lens, wafer or optical pre-formthat has already been processed to make it blue blocking. For example,the blue blocking single vision lens, wafer or optical pre-form with thesurface cast layer on its convex surface may be immersed in a heatedtint pot which has the appropriate proportions and concentrations ofcolor balancing dyes in a solution. The surface cast layer will take upthe color balancing dyes from the solution. To prevent the blue blockingsingle vision lens, wafer or optical pre-form from absorbing any of thecolor balancing dyes, its concave surface may be masked or sealed offwith a dye resist, e.g. tape or wax or other coating. This isillustrated in FIG. 2 , which shows an ophthalmic system 100 with a dyeresist 201 on the concave surface of the single vision lens, wafer oroptical pre-form 101. The edges of the single vision lens, wafer oroptical pre-form may be left uncoated to allow them to becomecosmetically color adjusted. This may be preferable for negative focallenses having thick edges.

FIG. 1B shows another ophthalmic system 150 in which the anteriorcolor-balancing component 104 may be or include an ophthalmic component,such as a single vision or multi-focal lens, wafer or optical pre-form.The posterior blue blocking component 103 may be a surface cast layer.To make this combination, the convex surface of the color balancingsingle vision lens, wafer or optical pre-form may be masked with a dyeresist as described above, to prevent it taking up blue blocking dyeswhen the combination is immersed in a heated tint pot containing a blueblocking dye solution. Meanwhile, the exposed surface cast layer willtake up the blue blocking dyes.

It should be understood that the surface cast layer could be used incombination with a multi-focal, rather than a single vision, lens, waferor optical pre-form. In addition, the surface cast layer could be usedto add power to a single vision lens, wafer or optical pre-form,including multi-focal power, thus converting the single vision lens,wafer or optical perform to a multi-focal lens, with either a lined orprogressive type addition. Of course, the surface cast layer could alsobe designed to add little or no power to the single vision lens, waferor optical pre-form.

FIG. 3 shows blue blocking and color balancing functionality integratedinto an ophthalmic component. More specifically, in ophthalmic lens 300,a portion 303 corresponding to a depth of tint penetration into anotherwise clear or mostly clear ophthalmic component 301 at a posteriorregion thereof may be blue blocking. Further, a portion 302,corresponding to a depth of tint penetration into the otherwise clear ormostly clear ophthalmic component 301 at a frontal or anterior regionthereof may be color balancing. The system illustrated in FIG. 3 may beproduced as follows. The ophthalmic component 301 may, for example,initially be a clear or mostly clear single vision or multi-focal lens,wafer or optical pre-form. The clear or mostly clear single vision ormulti-focal lens, wafer or optical pre-form may be tinted with a blueblocking tint while its front convex surface is rendered non-absorptive,e.g., by masking or coating with a dye resist as described previously.As a result, a portion 303, beginning at the posterior concave surfaceof the clear or mostly clear single vision or multi-focal lens, wafer oroptical pre-form 301 and extending inwardly, and having blue blockingfunctionality, may be created by tint penetration. Then theanti-absorbing coating of the front convex surface may be removed. Ananti-absorbing coating may then be applied to the concave surface, andthe front convex surface and peripheral edges of the single vision ormulti-focal lens, water or optical pre-form may be tinted (e.g. byimmersion in a heated tint pot) for color balancing. The color balancingdyes will be absorbed by the peripheral edges and a portion 302beginning at the front convex surface and extending inwardly, that wasleft untinted due to the earlier coating. The order of the foregoingprocess could be reversed, i.e., the concave surface could first bemasked while the remaining portion was tinted for color balancing. Then,the coating could be removed and a depth or thickness at the concaveregion left untinted by the masking could be tinted for blue blocking.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , an ophthalmic system 400 may be formed usingan in-mold coating. More specifically, an ophthalmic component 401 suchas a single vision or multi-focal lens, wafer or optical pre-form whichhas been dyed/tinted with a suitable blue blocking tint, dye or otheradditive may be color balanced via surface casting using a tintedin-mold coating 403. The in-mold coating 403, comprising a suitablelevel and/or mixtures of color balancing dyes, may be applied to theconvex surface mold (i.e., a mold, not shown, for applying the coating403 to the convex surface of the ophthalmic component 401). A colorlessmonomer 402 may be filled in and cured between the coating 403 andophthalmic component 401. The process of curing the monomer 402 willcause the color balancing in-mold coating to transfer itself to theconvex surface of the ophthalmic component 401. The result is a blueblocking ophthalmic system with a color balancing surface coating. Thein-mold coating could be, for example, an anti-reflective coating or aconventional hard coating.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , an ophthalmic system 500 may comprise twoophthalmic components, one blue blocking and the other color balancing.For example, a first ophthalmic component 501 could be a back singlevision or concave surface multi-focal lens, wafer or optical pre-form,dyed/tinted with the appropriate blue blocking tint to achieve thedesired level of blue blocking. A second ophthalmic component 503 couldbe a front single vision or convex surface multi-focal lens, wafer oroptical pre-form, bonded or affixed to the back single vision or concavesurface multi-focal lens, wafer or optical pre-form, for example using aUV or visible curable adhesive 502. The front single vision or convexsurface multi-focal lens, wafer or optical pre-form could be renderedcolor balancing either before or after it was bonded with the backsingle vision or concave surface multi-focal lens, wafer or opticalpre-form. If after, the front single vision or convex surfacemulti-focal lens, wafer or optical pre-form could be rendered colorbalancing, for example, by techniques described above. For example, theback single vision or concave surface multi-focal lens, wafer or opticalpre-form may be masked or coated with a dye resist to prevent it takingup color balancing dyes. Then, the bonded back and front portions may betogether placed in a heated tint pot containing a suitable solution ofcolor balancing dyes, allowing the front portion to take up colorbalancing eyes.

Any of the above-described embodiments systems, may be combined with oneor more anti-reflective (AR) components. This is shown in FIG. 6 , byway of example, for the ophthalmic lenses 100 and 150 shown in FIGS. 1Aand 1B. In FIG. 6 , a first AR component 601, e.g. a coating, is appliedto the concave surface of posterior blue blocking element 101, and asecond AR component 602 is applied to the convex surface of colorbalancing component 102. Similarly, a first AR component 601 is appliedto the concave surface of posterior blue blocking component 103, and asecond AR component 602 is applied to the convex surface of colorbalancing component 104.

FIGS. 7A-7C show further exemplary systems including a blue blockingcomponent and a color-balancing component. In FIG. 7A, an ophthalmicsystem 700 includes a blue blocking component 703 and a color balancingcomponent 704 that are formed as adjacent, but distinct, coatings orlayers on or adjacent to the anterior surface of a clear or mostly clearophthalmic lens 702. The blue blocking component 703 is posterior to thecolor-balancing component 704. On or adjacent to the posterior surfaceof the clear or mostly clear ophthalmic lens, an AR coating or otherlayer 701 may be formed. Another AR coating or layer 705 may be formedon or adjacent to the anterior surface of the color-balancing layer 704.

In FIG. 7B, the blue blocking component 703 and color-balancingcomponent 704 are arranged on or adjacent to the posterior surface ofthe clear or mostly clear ophthalmic lens 702. Again, the blue blockingcomponent 703 is posterior to the color-balancing component 704. An ARcomponent 701 may be formed on or adjacent to the posterior surface ofthe blue blocking component 703. Another AR component 705 may be formedon or adjacent to the anterior surface of the clear or mostly clearophthalmic lens 702.

In FIG. 7C, the blue blocking component 703 and the color-balancingcomponent 704 are arranged on or adjacent to the posterior and theanterior surfaces, respectively, of the clear ophthalmic lens 702.Again, the blue blocking component 703 is posterior to thecolor-balancing component 704. An AR component 701 may be formed on oradjacent to the posterior surface of the blue blocking component 703,and another AR component 705 may be formed on or adjacent to theanterior surface of the color-balancing component 704.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show an ophthalmic system 800 in which functionality toboth block blue light wavelengths and to perform color balancing may becombined in a single component 803. For example, the combinedfunctionality component may block blue light wavelengths and reflectsome green and red wavelengths as well, thus neutralizing the blue andeliminating the appearance of a dominant color in the lens. The combinedfunctionality component 803 may be arranged on or adjacent to either theanterior or the posterior surface of a clear ophthalmic lens 802. Theophthalmic lens 800 may further include an AR component 801 on oradjacent to either the anterior or the posterior surface of the clearophthalmic lens 802.

To quantify the effectiveness of a color balancing component, it may beuseful to observe light reflected and/or transmitted by a substrate ofan ophthalmic material. The observed light may be characterized by itsCIE coordinates to indicate the color of observed light; by comparingthese coordinates to the CIE coordinates of the incident light, it ispossible to determine how much the color of the light was shifted due tothe reflection/transmission. White light is defined to have CIEcoordinates of (0.33, 0.33). Thus, the closer an observed light's CIEcoordinates are to (0.33, 0.33), the “more white” it will appear to anobserver. To characterize the color shifting or balancing performed by alens, (0.33, 0.33) white light may be directed at the lens, and the CIEof reflected and transmitted light observed. If the transmitted lighthas a CIE of about (0.33, 0.33), there will be no color shifting, anditems viewed through the lens will have a natural appearance, i.e., thecolor will not be shifted relative to items observed without the lens.Similarly, if the reflected light has a CIE of about (0.33, 0.33), thelens will have a natural cosmetic appearance, i.e., it will not appeartinted to an observer viewing a user of the lens or ophthalmic system.Thus, it is desirable for transmitted and reflected light to have a CIEas close to (0.33, 0.33) as possible.

FIG. 9 shows a CIE plot indicating the observed colors corresponding tovarious CIE coordinates. A reference point 900 indicates the coordinates(0.33, 0.33). Although the central region of the plot typically isdesignated as “white,” some light having CIE coordinates in this regioncan appear slightly tinted to a viewer. For example, light having CIEcoordinates of (0.4, 0.4) will appear yellow to an observer. Thus, toachieve a color-neutral appearance in an ophthalmic system, it isdesirable for (0.33, 0.33) light (i.e., white light) that is transmittedand/or reflected by the system to have CIE coordinates as close to(0.33, 0.33) as possible after the transmission/reflection. The CIE plotshown in FIG. 9 will be used herein as a reference to show the colorshifts observed with various systems, though the labeled regions will beomitted for clarity.

Absorbing dyes may be included in the substrate material of anophthalmic lens by injection molding the dye into the substrate materialto produce lenses with specific light transmission and absorptionproperties. These dye materials can absorb at the fundamental peakwavelength of the dye or at shorter resonance wavelengths due to thepresence of a Soret band typically found in porphyrin materials.Exemplary ophthalmic materials include various glasses and polymers suchas CR-39®, TRIVEX, polycarbonate, polymethylmethacrylate, silicone, andfluoro-polymers, though other materials may be used and are known forvarious ophthalmic systems.

By way of example only, GENTEX day material E465 (available from GentexCorp., Zeeland, Mich.) transmittance and absorbance is shown in FIGS.10-11 . The Absorbance (A) is related to the transmittance (T) by theequation, A=log₁₀(1/T). In this case, the transmittance is between 0 and1 (O<T<1). Often transmittance is express as a percentage, i.e.,0%<T<100%. The E465 dye blocks those wavelengths less than 465 and isnormally provided to block these wavelengths with high optical density(OD>4). Similar products are available to block other wavelengths. Forexample, E420 from GENTEX blocks wavelengths below 420 nm. Otherexemplary dyes include porphyrins, perylene, and similar dyes that canabsorb at blue wavelengths.

The absorbance at shorter wavelengths can be reduced by a reduction ofthe dye concentration. This and other dye materials can achieve atransmittance of ˜50% in the 430 nm region. FIG. 12 shows thetransmittance of a polycarbonate substrate with a dye concentrationsuitable for absorbing in the 430 nm range, and with some absorption inthe range of 420-440 nm. This was achieved by reducing the concentrationof the dye and including the effects of a polycarbonate substrate. Therear surface is at this point not antireflection coated.

The concentration of dye also may affect the appearance and color shiftof an ophthalmic system. By reducing the concentration, systems withvarying degrees of color shift may be obtained. A “color shift” as usedherein refers to the amount by which the CIE coordinates of a referencelight change after transmission and/or reflection of the ophthalmicsystem. It also may be useful to characterize a system by the colorshift causes by the system due to the differences in various types oflight typically perceived as white (e.g., sunlight, incandescent light,and fluorescent light). It therefore may be useful to characterize asystem based on the amount by which the CIE coordinates of incidentlight are shifted when the light is transmitted and/or reflected by thesystem. For example, a system in which light with CIE coordinates of(0.33, 0.33) becomes light with a CIE of (0.30, 0.30) after transmissionmay be described as causing a color shift of (−0.03, −0.03), or, moregenerally, (±0.03, ±0.03). Thus the color shift caused by a systemindicates how “natural” light and viewed items appear to a wearer of thesystem. As further described below, systems causing color shifts of lessthan (±0.05, ±0.05) to (±0.02, ±0.02) have been achieved.

A reduction in short-wavelength transmission in an ophthalmic system maybe useful in reducing cell death due to photoelectric effects in theeye, such as excitation of A2E, a lipofuscin fluorophore. It has beenshown that reducing incident light at 430±30 nm by about 50% can reducecell death by about 80%. See, for example, Janet R. Sparrow et al.,“Blue light-absorbing intraocular lens and retinal pigment epitheliumprotection in vitro,” J. Cataract Refract. Surg. 2004, vol. 30, pp.873-78, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety. It is further believed that reducing the amount of blue light,such as light in the 430-460 nm range, by as little as 5% may similarlyreduce cell death and/or degeneration, and therefore prevent or reducethe adverse effects of conditions such as atrophic age-related maculardegeneration.

Although an absorbing, dye may be used to block undesirable wavelengthsof light, the dye may produce a color tint in the lens as a side effect.For example, many blue blocking ophthalmic lenses have a yellow coloringthat is often undesirable and/or aesthetically displeasing. To offsetthis coloring, a color balancing coating may be applied to one or bothsurfaces of a substrate including the absorbing dye therein.

Antireflection (AR) coatings (which are interference filters) arewell-established within the commercial ophthalmic coating industry. Thecoatings typically are a few layers, often less than 10, and typicallyare used to reduce the reflection from the polycarbonate surface to lessthan 1%. An example of such a coating on a polycarbonate surface isshown in FIG. 13 . The color plot of this coating is shown in FIG. 14and it is observed that the color is quite neutral. The totalreflectance was observed to be 0.21%. The reflected light was observedto have CIE coordinates of (0.234, 0.075); the transmitted light had CIEcoordinates of (0.334, 0.336).

AR coatings may be applied to both surfaces of a lens or otherophthalmic device to achieve a higher transmittance. Such aconfiguration is shown in FIG. 15 where the darker line 1510 is the ARcoated polycarbonate and the thinner line 1520 is an uncoatedpolycarbonate substrate. This AR coating provides a 10% increase intotal transmitted light. There is some natural loss of light due toabsorption in the polycarbonate substrate. The particular polycarbonatesubstrate used for this example has a transmittance loss ofapproximately 3%. In the ophthalmic industry AR coatings generally areapplied to both surfaces to increase the transmittance of the lens.

In systems according to the embodiments of the present invention, ARcoatings or other color balancing films may be combined with anabsorbing dye to allow for simultaneous absorption of blue wavelengthlight, typically in the 430 nm region, and increased transmittance. Aspreviously described, elimination of the light in the 430 nm regionalone typically results in a lens that has some residual color cast. Tospectrally tailor the light to achieve a color neutral transmittance, atleast one of the AR coatings may be modified to adjust the overalltransmitted color of the light. In ophthalmic systems according to theembodiments of the invention, this adjustment may be performed on thefront surface of the lens to create the following lens structure:

Air (farthest from the user's eye)/Front convex lens coating/Absorbingophthalmic lens substrate/rear concave anti-reflection coating/Air(closest to the user's eye).

In such a configuration, the front coating may provide spectraltailoring to offset the color cast resulting from the absorption in thesubstrate in addition to the antireflective function typically performedin conventional lenses. The lens therefore may provide an appropriatecolor balance for both transmitted and reflected light. In the case oftransmitted light the color balance allows for proper color vision; inthe case reflected light the color balance may provide the appropriatelens aesthetics.

In some cases, a color balancing film may be disposed between two layersof other ophthalmic material. For example, a filter, AR film, or otherfilm may be disposed within an ophthalmic material. For example, thefollowing configuration may be used:

Air (farthest from the user's eye)/ophthalmic material/film/ophthalmicmaterial/air (closest to user's eye).

The color balancing film also may be a coating, such as a hardcoat,applied to the outer and/or inner surface of a lens. Otherconfigurations are possible. For example, referring to FIG. 3 , anophthalmic system may include an ophthalmic material 301 doped with ablue-absorbing dye and one or more color balancing layers 302, 303. Inanother configuration, an inner layer 301 may be a color balancing layersurrounded by ophthalmic material 302, 303 doped with a blue-absorbingdye. Additional layers and/or coatings, such as AR coatings, may bedisposed on one or more surfaces of the system. It will be understoodhow similar materials and configurations may be used, for example in thesystems described with respect to FIGS. 4-8B.

Thus, optical films and/or coatings such as AR coatings may be used tofine-tune the overall spectral response of a lens having an absorbingdye. Transmission variation across the visible spectrum is well knownand varies as a function of the thickness and number of layers in theoptical coating. In embodiments of the invention one or more layers canbe used to provide the needed adjustment of the spectral properties.

In an exemplary system, color variation is produced by a single layer ofTiO2 (a common AR coating material). FIG. 16 shows the spectraltransmittance of a 106 nm thick single layer of TiO2. The color plot ofthis same layer is shown in FIG. 17 . The CIE color coordinates (x, y)1710 shown for the transmitted light are (0.33 1, 0.345). The reflectedlight had CIE coordinates of (0.353, 0.251) 1720, resulting in apurplish-pink color.

Changing the thickness of the TiO₂ layer changes the color of thetransmitted light as shown in the transmitted spectra and color plot fora 134 nm layer, shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 respectively. In this system,the transmitted light exhibited CIE coordinates of (0.362, 0.368) 1910,and the reflected light had CIE coordinates of (0.209, 0.229) 1920. Thetransmission properties of various AR coatings and the prediction orestimation thereof are known in the art. For example, the transmissioneffects of an AR coating formed of a known thickness of an AR materialmay be calculated and predicted using various computer programs.Exemplary, non-limiting programs include Essential Macleod Thin FilmsSoftware available from Thin Film Center, Inc., TFCalc available fromSoftware Spectra, Inc., and FilmStar Optical Thin Film Softwareavailable from FTG Software Associates. Other methods may be used topredict the behavior of an AR coating or other similar coating or film.

In systems according to embodiments of the invention, a blue-absorbingdye may be combined with a coating or other film to provide a blueblocking, color balanced system. The coating may be an AR coating on thefront surface that is modified to correct the color of the transmittedand/or reflected light. The transmittance and color plot of an exemplaryAR coating are shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 , respectively. In FIG. 21 , thetransmitted light exhibited CIE coordinates of (0.334, 0.333) 2110, andthe reflected light had CIE coordinates of (0.335, 0.342) 2120. FIGS. 22and 23 show the transmittance and color plot, respectively, for apolycarbonate substrate having a blue absorbing dye without an ARcoating. The dyed substrate absorbs most strongly in the 430 nm region,including some absorption in the 420-440 nm region. In FIG. 23 , thetransmitted light exhibited CIE coordinates of (0.342, 0.346) 2310, andthe reflected light had CIE coordinates of (0.335, 0.339) 2320. The dyedsubstrate may be combined with an appropriate AR coating as illustratedin FIGS. 20-21 to increase the overall transmittance of the system. Thetransmittance and color plot for a dyed substrate having a rear ARcoating are shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 , respectively. In FIG. 25 , thetransmitted light exhibited CIE coordinates of (0.342, 0, 348) 2510, andthe reflected light had CIE coordinates of (0.322, 0.308) 2520.

An AR coating also may be applied to the front of an ophthalmic system(i.e., the surface farthest from the eye of a wearer of the system),resulting in the transmittance and color plot shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 ,respectively. Although the system exhibits a high transmission andtransmitted light is relatively neutral, the reflected light has a CIEof (0.249, 0.090) 2720. Therefore, to more completely color balance theeffects of the blue absorbing dye, the front AR coating may be modifiedto achieve the desired color balance to produce a color neutralconfiguration. The transmittance and the color plot of thisconfiguration are shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 respectively. In thisconfiguration, both the transmitted and reflected light may be optimizedto achieve color neutrality. It may be preferred for the interiorreflected light to be about 6%. Should the reflectivity level beannoying to the wearer of the system, the reflection can be furtherreduced by way of adding an additional different absorbing dye into thelens substrate that would absorb a different wavelength of visiblelight. However, the design of this configuration achieves remarkableperformance and satisfies the need for a blue blocking, color balancedophthalmic system as described herein. The total transmittance is over90% and both the transmitted and reflected colors are quite close to thecolor neutral white point. As shown in FIG. 29 , the reflected light hasa CIE of (0.334, 0.334) 2920, and the transmitted light has a CIE of(0.341, 0.345) 2910, indicating little or no color shifting.

In some configurations, the front modified anti-reflection coating canbe designed to block 100% of the blue light wave length to be inhibited.However, this may result in a back reflection of about 9% to 10% for thewearer. This level of reflectivity can be annoying to the wearer. Thusby combining an absorbing dye into the lens substrate this reflectionwith the front modified anti-reflection coating the desired effect canbe achieved along with a reduction of the reflectivity to a level thatis well accepted by the wearer. The reflected light observed by a wearerof a system including one or more AR coatings may be reduced to 8% orless, or more preferably 3% or less.

The combination of a front and rear AR coating may be referred to as adielectric stack, and various materials and thicknesses may be used tofurther alter the transmissive and reflective characteristics of anophthalmic system. For example, the front AR coating and/or the rear ARcoating may be made of different thicknesses and/or materials to achievea particular color balancing effect. In some cases, the materials usedto create the dielectric stack may not be materials traditionally usedto create antireflective coatings. That is, the color balancing coatingsmay correct the color shift caused by a blue absorbing dye in thesubstrate without performing an anti-reflective function.

As discussed previously, filters are another technique for blueblocking. Accordingly, any of the blue blocking components discussedcould be or include or be combined with blue blocking filters. Suchfilters may include rugate filters, interference filters, band-passfilters, band-block filters, notch filters or dichroic filters.

In embodiments of the invention, one or more of the above-disclosedblue-blocking techniques may be used in conjunction with otherblue-blocking techniques. By way of example only, a lens or lenscomponent may utilize both a dye/tint and a rugate notch filter toeffectively block blue light.

Any of the above-disclosed structures and techniques may be employed inan ophthalmic system according to embodiments of the present inventionto perform blocking of blue light wavelengths at or near 400-460 nm. Forexample, in embodiments the wavelengths of blue light blocked may bewithin a predetermined range. In embodiments, the range may be 430±30nm. In other embodiments, the range may be 430±20 nm. In still otherembodiments, the range may be 430±10 nm. In embodiments, the ophthalmicsystem may limit transmission of blue wavelengths within the abovedefined ranges to substantially 90% of incident wavelengths. Inembodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit transmission of bluewavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 80% ofincident wavelengths. In other embodiments, the ophthalmic system maylimit transmission of the blue wavelengths within the above-definedranges to substantially 70% of incident wavelengths. In otherembodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit transmission of the bluewavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 60% ofincident wavelengths. In other embodiments, the ophthalmic system maylimit transmission of the blue wavelengths within the above-definedranges to substantially 50% of incident wavelengths. In otherembodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit transmission of the bluewavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 40% ofincident wavelengths. In still other embodiments, the ophthalmic systemmay limit transmission of the blue wavelengths within the above-definedranges to substantially 30% of incident wavelengths. In still otherembodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit transmission of the bluewavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 20% ofincident wavelengths. In still other embodiments, the ophthalmic systemmay limit transmission of the blue wavelengths within the above-definedranges to substantially 10% of incident wavelengths. In still otherembodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit transmission of the bluewavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 5% ofincident wavelengths. In still other embodiments, the ophthalmic systemmay limit transmission of the blue wavelengths within the above-definedranges to substantially 1% of incident wavelengths. In still otherembodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit transmission of the bluewavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 0% ofincident wavelengths. Stated otherwise, attenuation by the ophthalmicsystem of the electromagnetic spectrum at wavelengths in theabove-specified ranges may be at least 10%; or at least 20%; or at least30%; or at least 40%; or at least 50%; or at least 60%; or at least 70%;or at least 80%; or at least 90%; or at least 95%; or at least 99%; orsubstantially 100%.

In some cases it may be particularly desirable to filter a relativelysmall portion of the blue spectrum, such as the 400-460 nm region. Forexample, it has been found that blocking too much of the blue spectrumcan interfere with scotopic vision and circadian rhythms. Conventionalblue blocking ophthalmic lenses typically block a much larger amount ofa wide range of the blue spectrum, which can adversely affect thewearer's “biological clock” and have other adverse effects. Thus, it maybe desirable to block a relatively narrow range of the blue spectrum asdescribed herein. Exemplary systems that may filter a relatively smallamount of light in a relatively small range include system that block orabsorb 5-50%, 5-20%, and 5-10% of light having a wavelength of 400-460nm, 410-450 nm, and 420-440 nm.

At the same time as wavelengths of blue light are selectively blocked asdescribed above, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least95% of other portions of the visual electromagnetic spectrum may betransmitted by the ophthalmic system. Stated otherwise, attenuation bythe ophthalmic system of the electromagnetic spectrum at wavelengthsoutside the blue light spectrum, e.g. wavelengths other than those in arange around 430 nm may be 20% or less, 15% or less, 10% or less, and inother embodiments, 5% or less.

Additionally, embodiments of the present invention may further blockultra-violet radiation the UVA and UVB spectral bands as well asinfra-red radiation with wavelengths greater than 700 nm.

Any of the above-disclosed ophthalmic system may be incorporated into anarticle of eyewear, including externally-worn eyewear such aseyeglasses, sunglasses, goggles or contact lenses. In such eyewear,because the blue-blocking component of the systems is posterior to thecolor balancing component, the blue-blocking component will always becloser to the eye than the color-balancing component when the eyewear isworn. The ophthalmic system may also be used in such articles ofmanufacture as surgically implantable intraocular lenses.

Several embodiments use a film to block the blue light. The film in anophthalmic or other system may selectively inhibit at least 5%, at least10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, and/or at least 50% ofblue light within the 400-460 nm range. As used herein, a film“selectively inhibits” a wavelength range if it inhibits at least sometransmission within the range, while having little or no effect ontransmission of visible wavelengths outside the range. The film and/or asystem incorporating the film may be color balanced to allow for beingperception by an observer and/or user as colorless. Systemsincorporating a film according to embodiments of the present inventionmay have a scotopic luminous transmission of 85% or better of visiblelight, and further allow someone looking through the film or system tohave mostly normal color vision.

FIG. 30 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A film3002 may be disposed between two layers or regions of one or more basematerials 3001, 3003. As further described herein, the film may containa dye that selectively inhibits certain wavelengths of light. The basematerial or materials may be any material suitable for a lens,ophthalmic system, window, or other system in which the film may bedisposed.

The optical transmission characteristic of an exemplary film accordingto an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 31 where about 50% ofblue light in the range of 430±10 nm is blocked, while imparting minimallosses on other wavelengths within the visible spectrum. Thetransmission shown in FIG. 31 is exemplary, and it will be understoodthat for many applications it may be desirable to selectively inhibitless than 50% of blue light, and/or the specific wavelengths inhibitedmay vary. It is believed that in many applications cell death may bereduced or prevented by blocking less than 50% of blue light. Forexample, it may be preferred to selectively inhibit about 40%, morepreferably about 30%, more preferably about 20%, more preferably about10%, and more preferably about 5% of light in the 400-460 nm range.Selectively inhibiting a smaller amount of light may allow forprevention of damage due to high-energy light, while being minimalenough that the inhibition does not adversely affect scotopic visionand/or circadian cycles in a user of the system.

FIG. 32 shows a film 3201 incorporated into an ophthalmic lens 3200according to an embodiment of the present invention, where it issandwiched between layers of ophthalmic material 3202, 3203. Thethickness of the front layer of ophthalmic material is, by way ofexample only, in the range of 200 microns to 1,000 microns.

Similarly, FIG. 33 shows an exemplary system 3300, such as an automotivewindshield, according to embodiments of the present invention. A film3301 may be incorporated into the system 3300, where it is sandwichedbetween layers of base material 3302, 3303. For example, where thesystem 3300 is an automotive windshield, the base material 3302, 3303may be windshield glass as is commonly used. It will be understood thatin various other systems, including visual, display, ophthalmic, andother systems, different base materials may be used without departingfrom the scope of embodiments of the present invention.

In an embodiment, a system according to the invention may be operated inan environment where the relevant emitted visible light has a veryspecific spectrum. In such a regime, it may be desirable to tailor afilm's filtering effect to optimize the light transmitted, reflected, oremitted by the item. This may be the case, for example, where the colorof the transmitted, reflected, or emitted light is of primary concern.For example, when a film according to embodiments of the presentinvention is used in or with a camera flash or flash filter, it may bedesirable for the perceived color of the image or print to be as closeto true color as possible. As another example, a film according toembodiments of the present invention may be used in instrumentation forobserving the back of a patient's eye for disease. In such a system, itmay be preferable for the film not to interfere with the true andobserved color of the retina. As another example, certain forms ofartificial lighting may benefit from a wavelength-customized filterutilizing the inventive film.

In an embodiment, the inventive film may be utilized within aphotochromatic, electro-chromic, or changeable tint ophthalmic lens,window or automotive windshield. Such a system may allow for protectionfrom UV light wavelengths, direct sunlight intensity, and blue lightwavelengths in an environment where the tinting is not active. In thisembodiment the film's blue light wavelengths protective attributes maybe effective regardless of whether the tinting is active.

In an embodiment, a film may allow for selective inhibition of bluelight while being color balanced and will have an 85% or greaterscotopic luminous transmission of visible light. Such a film may beuseful for lower light transmission uses such as driving glasses orsport glasses, and may provide increased visual performance due toincreased contrast sensitivity.

For some applications, it may be desirable for a system according to thepresent embodiments of the to electively inhibit blue light as describedherein, and have a luminous transmission of less than about 85%,typically about 80-85%, across the visible spectrum. This may be thecase where, for example, a base material used in the system inhibitsmore light across all visible wavelengths due to its higher index ofrefraction. As a specific example, high index (e.g., 1.7) lenses mayreflect more light across wavelengths leading to a luminous transmissionless than 85%.

To avoid, reduce, or eliminate problems present in conventionalblue-blocking systems, it may be desirable to reduce, but not eliminate,transmission of phototoxic blue light. The pupil of the eye responds tothe photopic retinal illuminance, in trolands, which is the product ofthe incident flux with the wavelength-dependent sensitivity of theretina and the projected area of the pupil. A filter placed in front ofthe retina, whether within the eye, as in an intraocular lens, attachedto the eye, as in a contact lens or corneal replacement, or otherwise inthe optical path of the eye as in a spectacle lens, may reduce the totalflux of light to the retina and stimulate dilation of the pupil, andthus compensate for the reduction in field illuminance. When exposed toa steady luminance in the field the pupil diameter generally fluctuatesabout a value that increases as the luminance falls.

A functional relationship between pupil area and field illuminancedescribed by Moon and Spencer, J. Opt. Soc. Am. v. 33, p. 260 (1944)using the following equation for pupil diameter:d=4.9−3 tan h(Log(L)+1)  (0.1)where d is in millimeters and L is the illuminance in cd/m². FIG. 34Ashows pupil diameter (mm) as a function of field illuminance (cd/m²).FIG. 34B shows pupil area (mm²) as a function of field illuminance.

The illuminance is defined by the international CIE standards as aspectrally weighted integration of visual sensitivity over wavelength:L=Km∫L _(e,λ) Vλdλ photopicL′=K′m∫L _(e,λ) V′λdλ. scotopic  (0.2)where K′m is equal to 1700.06 1 m/W tar scotopic (night) vision,K_(m)=683.2. lm/W for photopic (day) vision and the spectral luminousefficiency functions Vλ and V′λ define the standard photopic andscotopic observers. The luminous efficiency functions Vλ and V′λ areillustrated in, e.g., FIG. 9 of Michael Kalloniatis and Charles Luu,“Psychophysics of Vision,” available athttp://webvision.med.utah.edu/Phychl.html, last visited Aug. 8, 2007,which is incorporated by reference herein.

Interposition of an absorptive ophthalmic element in the form of anintraocular, contact, or spectacle lens reduces the illuminanceaccording to the formula:L=Km∫TλL _(e,λ) Vλdλ. photopicL′=K′m∫TλL _(e,λ) V′λdλ. scotopic  (0.3)where Tλ is the wavelength-dependent transmission of the opticalelement. Values for the integrals in equation 1.3 normalized to theunfiltered illuminance values computed from equation 1.2 for each of theprior-art blue blocking lenses are shown in Table I.

TABLE I Photopic Scotopic Reference FIG. Ratio Ratio Unfiltered 1.0001.000 Pratt ′430 0.280 0.164 Mainster 2005/0243272 0.850 0.775 PresentSystem 35 0.996 0.968 Present System 36 (solid line) 0.993 0.947 PresentSystem 37 0.978 0.951

Referring to Table I, the ophthalmic filter according to Pratt reducesscotopic sensitivity by 83.6% of its unfiltered value, an attenuationthat will both degrade night vision and stimulate pupil dilationaccording to equation 1.1. The device described by Mainster reducesscotopic flux by 22.5%, which is less severe than the Pratt device butstill significant.

In contrast, a film according to embodiments of the present inventionpartially attenuates violet and blue light using absorptive orreflective ophthalmic elements while reducing the scotopic illuminanceby no more than 15% of its unfiltered value. Surprisingly, systemsaccording to embodiments of the present invention were found toselectively inhibit a desired region of blue light, while having littleto no effect on photopic and scotopic vision.

In an embodiment, perylene (C20H12, CAS #19855-0) is incorporated intoan ophthalmic device at a concentration and thickness sufficient toabsorb about two thirds of the light at its absorption maximum of 437nm. The transmission spectrum of this device is shown in FIG. 35 . Thechange in illuminance that results from this filter is only about 3.2%for scotopic viewing conditions and about 0.4% under photopic viewingconditions, as displayed in Table I. Increasing the concentration orthickness of perylene in the device decreases the transmission at eachwavelength according to Beer's law. FIG. 36 shows the transmissionspectrum of a device with a perylene concentration 2.27 times higherthan that for FIG. 6 . Although this device selectively blocks more ofthe phototoxic blue light than the device in FIG. 6 , it reducesscotopic illuminance by less than 6% and photopic illuminance by lessthan 0.7%. Note that reflection has been removed from the spectra inFIGS. 35 and 36 to show only the effect of absorption by the dye.

Dyes other than perylene may have strong absorption in blue or roughlyblue wavelength ranges and little or no absorbance in other regions ofthe visible spectrum. Examples of such dyes, illustrated in FIG. 46 ,include porphyrin, coumarin, and acridine based molecules which may beused singly or in combination to give transmission that is reduced, butnot eliminated, at 400-460 nm. The methods and systems described hereintherefore may use similar dyes based on other molecular structures atconcentrations that mimic the transmission spectra of perylene,porphyrin, coumarin, and acridine.

The insertion of dye into the optical path according to embodiments ofthe present invention may be accomplished by diverse methods familiar tothose practiced in the art of optical manufacturing. The dye or dyes maybe incorporated directly into the substrate, added to a polymericcoating, imbibed into the lens, incorporated in a laminated structurethat includes a dye-impregnated layer, or as a composite material withdye-impregnated microparticles.

According to another embodiment of the invention a dielectric coatingthat is partially reflective in the violet and blue spectral regions andantireflective at longer wavelengths may be applied. Methods fordesigning appropriate dielectric optical filters are summarized intextbooks such as Angus McLeod, Thin Film Optical Filters (McGraw-Hill:NY) 1989. An exemplary transmission spectrum for a six-layer stack ofSiO₂ and ZrO₂ according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 37 .Referring again to Table 1, it is seen that this optical filter blocksphototoxic blue and violet light while reducing scotopic illuminance byless than 5% and photopic illuminance by less than 3%.

Although many conventional blue blocking technologies attempt to inhibitas much blue light as possible, current research suggests that in manyapplications it may be desirable to inhibit a relatively small amount ofblue light. For example, to prevent undesirable effects on scotopicvision, it may be desirable for an ophthalmic system according toembodiments of the invention to inhibit only about 30% of blue (i.e.,380-500 nm) wavelength light, or more preferably only about 20% of bluelight, more preferably about 10%, and more preferably about 5%. It isbelieved that cell death may be reduced by inhibiting as little as 5% ofblue light, while this degree of blue light reduction has little or noeffect on scotopic vision and/or circadian behavior of those using thesystem.

As used herein, a film according to embodiments of the invention thatselectively inhibits blue light is described as inhibiting an amount oflight measured relative to the base system incorporating the film. Forexample, an ophthalmic system may use a polycarbonate or other similarbase for a lens. Materials typically used for such a base may inhibit avarious amount of light at visible wavelengths. If a blue-blocking filmaccording to embodiments of the present invention is added to thesystem, it may selectively inhibit 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and/or 50% ofall blue wavelengths, as measured relative to the amount of light thatwould be transmitted at the same wavelength(s) in the absence of thefilm.

The methods and devices disclosed herein may minimize, and preferablyeliminate, the shift in color perception that results fromblue-blocking. The color perceived by the human visual system resultsfrom neural processing of light signals that fall on retinal pigmentswith different spectral response characteristics. To describe colorperception mathematically, a color space is constructed by integratingthe product of three wavelength-dependent color matching functions withthe spectral irradiance. The result is three numbers that characterizethe perceived color. A uniform (L*, a*, b*) color space, which has beenestablished by the Commission Internationale de L'eclairage (CIE), maybe used to characterize perceived colors, although similar calculationsbased on alternative color standards are familiar to those practiced inthe art of color science and may also be used. The (L*, a*, b*) colorspace defines brightness on the L* axis and color within the planedefined by the a* and b* axes. A uniform color space such as thatdefined by this CIE standard may be preferred for computational andcomparative applications, since the Cartesian distances of the space areproportional to the magnitude of perceived color difference between twoobjects. The use of uniform color spaces generally is recognized in theart, such as described in Wyszecki and Stiles. Color Science: Conceptsand Methods, Quantitative Data and Formulae (Wiley: New York) 1982.

An optical design according to the methods and systems described hereinmay use a palette of spectra that describe the visual environment. Anon-limiting example of this is the Munsell matte color palette, whichis comprised of 1,269 color tiles that have been established bypsycho-physical experiments to be just noticeably different from eachother. The spectral irradiance of these tiles is measured under standardillumination conditions. The array of color coordinates corresponding toeach of these tiles illuminated by a D65 daylight illuminant in (L*, a*,b*) color space is the reference for color distortion and is shown inFIG. 38 . The spectral irradiance of the color tiles is then modulatedby a blue-blocking filter and a new set of color coordinates iscomputed. Each tile has a perceived color that is shifted by an amountcorresponding to the geometric displacement of the (L*, a*, b*)coordinates. This calculation has been applied to the blue-blockingfilter of Pratt, where the average color distortion is 41 justnoticeable difference (JND) units in (L*, a*, b*) space. The minimumdistortion caused by the Pratt filter is 19 JNDs, the maximum is 66, andthe standard deviation is 7 JNDs. A histogram of the color shifts forall 1,269 color tiles is shown in FIG. 39A (top).

Referring now to FIG. 39B, the color shift induced by the Mainsterblue-blocking filter has a minimum value of 6, an average of 19, amaximum of 34, and a standard deviation of 6 JNDs.

Embodiments of the present invention using perylene dye at twoconcentrations or the reflective filter described above may havesubstantially smaller color shifts than conventional devices whethermeasured as an average, minimum, or maximum distortion, as illustratedin Table II.

FIG. 40 shows a histogram of color shifts for a perylene-dyed substrateaccording to embodiments of the present invention whose transmissionspectrum is shown in FIG. 35 . Notably, the shift across all color tileswas observed to be substantially lower and narrower than those forconventional devices described by Mainster, Pratt, and the like. Forexample, simulation results showed (L*, a*, b*) shifts as low as 12 and20 JNDs for films according to embodiments of the present invention,with average shifts across all tiles as low as 7-12 JNDs.

TABLE II Std. Avg. δ Min. δ Max. δ Deviation δ Reference FIG. (L*, a*,b*) (L*, a*, b*) (L*, a*, b*) (L*, a*, b*) Pratt 41 19 66 12 Mainster 196 34 6 Present System 35 7 2 12 2 Present System 36 12 4 20 3 PresentSystem 37 7 2 12 2

In an embodiment, a combination of reflective and absorptive elementsmay filter harmful blue photons while maintaining relatively highluminous transmission. This may allow a system according to embodimentsof the invention to avoid or reduce pupil dilation, preserve or preventdamage to night vision, and reduce color distortion. An example of thisapproach combines the dielectric stacks shown in FIG. 37 with theperylene dye of FIG. 35 , resulting in the transmission spectrum shownin FIG. 41 . The device was observed to have a photopic transmission of97.5%, scotopic transmission of 93.2%, and an average color shift of 11JNDs. The histogram summarizing color distortion of this device for theMunsell tiles in daylight is shown in FIG. 42 .

In another embodiment, an ophthalmic filter is external to the eye, forexample a spectacle lens, goggle, visor, or the like. When a traditionalfilter is used, the color of the wearer's face when viewed by anexternal observer may be tinted by the lens, i.e., the facial colorationor skin tone typically is shifted by a blue-blocking lens when viewed byanother person. This yellow discoloration that accompanies blue lightabsorption is often not cosmetically desirable. The procedure forminimizing this color shift is identical to that described above for theMunsell tiles, with the reflectance of the wearer's skin beingsubstituted for those of the Munsell color tiles. The color of skin is afunction of pigmentation, blood flow, and the illumination conditions. Arepresentative series of skin reflectance spectra from subjects ofdifferent races is shown in FIGS. 43A-B. An exemplary skin reflectancespectrum for a Caucasian subject is shown in FIG. 44 . The (L*, a*, b*)color coordinates of this skin in daylight (D65) illumination are (67.1,18.9, 13.7). Interposition of the Pratt blue-blocking filter changesthese color coordinates to (38.9, 17.2, 44.0) a shift of 69 JND units.The Mainster blue-blocking filter shifts the color coordinates by 17 JNDunits to (62.9, 13.1, 29.3). By contrast, a perylene filter as describedherein causes a color shift of only 6 JNDs, or one third that of theMainster filter. A summary of the cosmetic color shift of an exemplaryCaucasian skin under daylight illumination using various blue-blockingfilters is shown in Table III. The data shown in Table I refer arenormalized to remove any effect caused by a base material.

TABLE III Reference FIG. L* a* b* δ(L*, a*, b*) Skin 14-15 67 19 14 0Pratt 39 17 44 69 Mainster 63 13 29 17 Present System. 35 67 17 19 6Present System 36 67 15 23 10 Present System 37 67 17 19 6

In an embodiment, an illuminant may be filtered to reduce but noteliminate the flux of blue light to the retina. This may be accomplishedwith absorptive or reflective elements between the field of view and thesource of illumination using the principles described herein. Forexample, an architectural window may be covered with a film thatcontains perylene so that the transmission spectrum of the windowmatches that shown in FIG. 35 . Such a filter typically would not inducepupil dilation when compared to an uncoated window, nor would it causeappreciable color shifts when external daylight passes through it. Bluefilters according to embodiments of the present invention may be used onartificial illuminants such as fluorescent, incandescent, arc, flash,and diode lamps, displays, and the like.

Various materials may be used in making films according to embodimentsof the invention. Two such exemplary materials are Poly Vinyl Alcohol(PVA) and Poly Vinyl Butyral (PVB). In the case of PVA film it may beprepared by partial or complete hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate toremove the acetate groups. PYA film may be desirable due to beneficialfilm forming, emulsifying, and adhesive properties. In addition, PYAfilm has high tensile strength, flexibility, high temperature stability,and provides an excellent oxygen barrier.

PVB film may be prepared from a reaction of polyvinyl alcohol inbutanal. PVB may be suitable for applications where high strength,optical clarity, flexibility and toughness is preferred. PVB also hasexcellent film forming and adhesive properties.

PYA, PVB, and other suitable films may be extruded, cast from asolution, spin coated and then cured, or dip coated and then cured.Other manufacturing methods known in the art also may be used. There areseveral ways of integrating the dyes needed to create the desiredspectral profile of the film. Exemplary dye-integration methods includevapor deposition, chemically cross linked within the film, dissolvedwithin small polymer micro-spheres and then integrated within the film.Suitable dyes are commercially available from companies includingKeystone, BPI & Phantom.

Most dyeing of spectacle lenses is done after the lens has been shippedfrom the manufacturer. Therefore, it may be desirable to incorporate ablue-absorbing dye during the manufacture of the lens itself. To do so,the filtering and color balancing dyes may be incorporated into a hardcoating and/or an associated primer coating which promotes adhesion ofthe hard coating to the lens material. For example, a primer coat andassociated hard coat are often added to the top of a spectacle lens orother ophthalmic system at the end of the manufacturing process toprovide additional durability and scratch resistance for the finalproduct. The hard coat typically is an outer-most layer of the system,and may be placed on the front, back, or both the front and backsurfaces of the system.

FIG. 47 shows an exemplary system having a hard coating 4703 and itsassociated adhesion-promoting primer coat 4702. Exemplary hard coatingsand adhesion promoting primer coating are available from manufacturerssuch as Tokuyama, UltraOptics, SDC, PPG, and LTI.

In systems according to embodiments of the invention, both a blueblocking dye and a color balancing dye may be included in the primercoating 1802. Both the blue blocking and color balancing dyes also maybe included in the hard coating 1803. The dyes need not be included inthe same coating layer. For example, a blue blocking dye may be includedin the hard coating 1803, and a color balancing dye included in theprimer coating 1802. The color balancing dye may be included in the hardcoating 1803 and the blue blocking dye in the primer coating 1802.

Primer and hard coats according to embodiments of the invention may bedeposited using methods known in the art, including spin-coating,dip-coating, spray-coating, evaporation, sputtering, and chemical vapordeposition. The blue blocking and/or color balancing dyes to be includedin each layer may be deposited at the same time as the layer, such aswhere a dye is dissolved in a liquid coating material and the resultingmixture applied to the system. The dyes also may be deposited in aseparate process or sub-process, such as where a dye is sprayed onto asurface before the coat is cured or dried or applied.

A hard coat and/or primer coat may perform functions and achievebenefits described herein with respect to a film. Specifically, the coator coats may selectively inhibit blue light, while maintaining desirablephotopic vision, scotopic vision, circadian rhythms, and phototoxicitylevels. Hard coats and/or primer coats as described herein also may beused in an ophthalmic system incorporating a film as described herein,in any and various combinations. As a specific example, an ophthalmicsystem may include a film that selectively inhibits blue light and ahard coat that provides color correction.

The selective filter of embodiments of the present invention can alsoprovide increased contrast sensitivity. Such a system functions toselectively filter harmful invisible and visible light while havingminimal effect on photopic vision, scotopic vision, color vision, and/orcircadian rhythms while maintaining acceptable or even improved contrastsensitivity. Embodiments of the invention can be formulated such that incertain embodiments the end residual color of the device to which theselective filter is applied is mostly colorless, and in otherembodiments where a mostly clear residual color is not required theresidual color can be yellowish. Preferably, the yellowness of theselective filter is unobjectionable to the subjective individual wearer.Yellowness can be measured quantitatively using a yellowness index suchas ASTM E313-05. Preferably, the selective filter has a yellowness indexthat is no more than 50, 40, 35, 30, 25, 23, 20, 15, 10, 9, 7, or 5.

Embodiments of the invention could include selective light wavelengthfiltering embodiments such as: windows, automotive windshields, lightbulbs, flash bulbs, fluorescent lighting, LED lighting, television,computer monitors, etc. Any light that impacts the retina can beselectively filtered by embodiments of the invention. Embodiments of theinvention can be enabled, by way of example only, a film comprising aselective filtering dye or pigment, a dye or pigment component addedafter a substrate is fabricated, a dye component that is integral withthe fabrication or formulation of the substrate material, synthetic ornon-synthetic pigment such as melanin, lutein, or zeaxanthin, selectivefiltering dye or pigment provided as a visibility tint (having one ormore colors) as in a contact lens, selective filtering dye or pigmentprovided in an ophthalmic scratch resistant coating (hard coat),selective filtering dye or pigment provided in an ophthalmicanti-reflective coat, selective light wave length filtering dye orpigment provided in a hydrophobic coating, an interference filter,selective light wavelength filter, selective light wavelength filteringdye or pigment provided in a photochromic lens, or selective lightwavelength filtering dye or pigment provided in a matrix of a light bulbor tube. It should be pointed out that embodiments of the inventioncontemplates the selective light wavelength filter selectively filteringout one specific range of wavelengths, or multiple specific ranges ofwavelengths, but never filtering out wavelengths evenly across thevisible spectrum.

Those skilled in the art will know readily how to provide the selectivelight wavelength filter to the substrate material. By way of exampleonly, the selective filter can be: imbibed, injected, impregnated, addedto the raw materials of the substrate, added to the resin prior topolymerization, layered within in the optical lens by way of a filmcomprising the selective filter dye or pigments.

Embodiments of the invention may utilize a proper concentration of a dyeand or pigment such as, by way of example only, perylene, porphrin ortheir derivatives. Refer to FIG. 48 to observe varying concentration ofperylene and the functional ability to block wavelengths of light ataround 430 nm. The transmission level can be controlled by dyeconcentration. Other dye chemistries allow adjustment of the absorptionpeak positions.

Perylene with appropriate concentration levels provides balance inphotopic, scotopic, circadian, and phototoxicity ratios whilemaintaining a mostly colorless appearance:

TABLE IV Photopic Scotopic Phototoxicity Circadian Ratio - V_(λ) Ratio -V′_(λ) Ratio (B_(λ)) Ratio (M′_(λ)) Reference (%) (%) (%) (%) Unfiltered100 100 100 100 Polycarbonate - undyed 88 87 86 74 Pratt 28 16 4 7Mainster 86 78 39 46 Mainster (−20 nm shift) 86 83 63 56 Mainster (+20nm shift) 84 68 15 32 HPOO dye (2x) 88 81 50 62 HPOO dye (x) 88 84 64 63HPOO (x/2) 87 64 72 66 HPOO (x/4) 89 87 79 71

In Table IV the dye concentrations are approximately 35 ppm (2×), 15 ppm(x) 7.5 ppm (x/2), and 3.8 ppm (x/4).

Increases in contrast sensitivity are observed with appropriateconcentration of perylene. See Example 2, Table VI. It should be pointedout that the family of perylene based dyes or pigments are used, by wayof example only, for enabling embodiments of the invention. When such adye is used, depending upon the embodiment or application, the dye maybe formulated such that it is bonded molecularly or chemically to thesubstrate or a coating that is applied to the substrate such that thedye does not leach out. By way of example only, applications of thiswould be for use with contact lenses, IOLs, corneal in-lays, cornealon-lays, etc.

Selective filters can be combined to hinder other target wavelengths asscience discovers other visible light wavelength hazards.

In one embodiment of the invention, a contact lens is comprised of aperylene dye formulated such that it will not leach out of the contactlens material. The dye is further formulated such that it provides atint having a yellow cast. This yellow cast allows for the contact lensto have what is known as a handling tint for the wearer. The perylenedye or pigment further provides the selective filtering as shown by FIG.48 . This filtering provides retinal protection and enhanced contrastsensitivity without compromising in any meaningful way one's photopicvision, scotopic vision, color vision, or circadian rhythms.

In the case of the inventive embodiment of a contact lens the dye orpigment can be imparted into the contact lens by way of example only, byimbibing, so that it is located within a central 10 mm diameter or lesscircle of the contact lens, preferably within 6-8 mm diameter of thecenter of the contact lens coinciding with the pupil of the wearer. Inthis embodiment the dye or pigment concentration which providesselective light wavelength filtering is increased to a level thatprovides the wearer with an increase in contrast sensitivity (as opposeto without wearing the contact lens) and without compromising in anymeaningful way (one or more, or all of) the wearer's photopic vision,scotopic vision, color vision, or circadian rhythms.

Preferably, an increase in contrast sensitivity is demonstrated by anincrease in the user's Functional Acuity Contrast Test (FACT) score ofat least about 0.1, 0.25, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 1.25, 1.4, or 1.5. Withrespect to the wearer's photopic vision, scotopic vision, color vision,and/or circadian rhythms, the ophthalmic system preferably maintains oneor all of these characteristics to within 15%, 10%, 5%, or 1% of thecharacteristic levels without the ophthalmic system.

In another inventive embodiment that utilizes a contact lens the dye orpigment is provided that causes a yellowish tint that it is located overthe central 5-7 mm diameter of the contact lens and wherein a secondcolor tint is added peripherally to that of the central tint. In thisembodiment the dye concentration which provides selective lightwavelength filtering is increased to a level that provides the wearervery good contrast sensitivity and once again without compromising inany meaningful way (one or more, or all of) the wearer's photopicvision, scotopic vision, color vision, or circadian rhythms.

In still another inventive embodiment that utilizes a contact lens thedye or pigment is provided such that it is located over the fulldiameter of the contact lens from approximately one edge to the otheredge. In this embodiment the dye concentration which provides selectivelight wavelength filtering is increased to a level that provides thewearer very good contrast sensitivity and once again withoutcompromising in any meaningful way (one or more, or all of) the wearer'sphotopic vision, scotopic vision, color vision, or circadian rhythms.

When various inventive embodiments are used in or on human or animaltissue the dye is formulated in such a way to chemically bond to theinlay substrate material thus ensuring it will not leach out in thesurrounding corneal tissue. Methods for providing a chemical hook thatallow for this bonding are well known within the chemical and polymerindustries.

In still another inventive embodiment an intraocular lens includes aselective light wavelength filter that has a yellowish tint, and thatfurther provides the wearer improved contrast sensitivity withoutcompromising in any meaningful way (one or more, or all of) the wearer'sphotopic vision, scotopic vision, color vision, or circadian rhythms.When the selective filter is utilized on or within an intraocular lensit is possible to increase the level of the dye or pigment beyond thatof a spectacle lens as the cosmetics of the intraocular lens areinvisible to someone looking at the wearer. This allows for the abilityto increase the concentration of the dye or pigment and provides evenhigher levels of improved contrast sensitivity without compromising inany meaningful way (one or more, or all of) the wearer's photopicvision, scotopic vision, color vision, or circadian rhythms.

In still another embodiment of the invention, a spectacle lens includesa selective light wave length filter comprising a dye having perylenewherein the dye's formulation provides a spectacle lens that has amostly colorless appearance. And furthermore that provides the wearerwith improved contrast sensitivity without compromising in anymeaningful way (one or more, or all of) the wearer's photopic vision,scotopic vision, color vision, or circadian rhythms. In this particularembodiment of the invention, the dye or pigment is imparted within afilm that is located within or on the surface of the spectacle lens.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A polycarbonate lens having an integral film with varying concentrationsof blue-blocking dye was fabricated and the transmission spectrum ofeach lens was measured as shown in FIG. 45 . Perylene concentrations of35, 15, 7.6, and 3.8 ppm (weight basis) at a lens thickness of 2.2 mmwere used. Various metrics calculated for each lens are shown in TableV, with references corresponding to the reference numerals in FIG. 45 .Since the selective absorbance of light depends primarily on the productof the dye concentration and coating thickness according to Beer's law,it is believed that comparable results are achievable using a hard coatand/or primer coat in conjunction with or instead of a film.

TABLE V Photopic Scotopic Circadian Phototoxicity Lens Ref. Ratio(V_(λ)) Ratio ( V′_(λ)) Ratio (M′_(λ)) Ratio (B_(λ)) Unfiltered light100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% (no lens) Polycarbonate Lens 4510 87.5%87.1% 74.2% 85.5% (no dye) 3.8 ppm (2.2 mm) 4520 88.6% 86.9% 71.0% 78.8%7.6 ppm (2.2 mm) 4530 87.0% 84.1% 65.9% 71.1% 15 ppm (2.2 mm) 4540 88.3%83.8% 63.3% 63.5% 35 ppm (2.2 mm) 4550 87.7% 80.9% 61.5% 50.2%

With the exception of the 35 ppm dyed lens, all the lenses described inTable IV and FIG. 45 include a UV dye typically used in ophthalmic lenssystems to inhibit UV wavelengths below 380 nm. The photopic ratiodescribes normal vision, and is calculated as the integral of the filtertransmission spectrum and Vλ (photopic visual sensitivity) divided bythe integral of unfiltered light and this same sensitivity curve. Thescotopic ratio describes vision in dim lighting conditions, and iscalculated as the integral of the filter transmission spectrum and V′λ(scotopic visual sensitivity) divided by the integral of unfilteredlight and this same sensitivity curve. The circadian ratio describes theeffect of light on circadian rhythms, and is calculated as the integralof the filter transmission spectrum and M′λ (melatonin suppressionsensitivity) divided by the integral of unfiltered light and this samesensitivity curve. The phototoxicity ratio describes damage to the eyecaused by exposure to high-energy light, and is calculated as theintegral of the filter transmission and the Bλ (phakic UV-bluephototoxicity) divided by the integral of unfiltered light and this samesensitivity curve. Response functions used to calculate these valuescorrespond to those disclosed in Mainster and Sparrow, “How Much BlueLight Should an IOL Transmit?” Br. J. Ophthalmol., 2003, v. 87, pp.1523-29, Mainster, “Intraocular Lenses Should Block UV Radiation andViolet but not Blue Light,” Arch. Ophthal., v. 123, p. 550 (2005), andMainster. “Violet and Blue Light Blocking Intraocular Lenses:Photoprotection vs. Photoreception”, Br. J. Ophthalmol, 2006, v. 90, pp.784-92. For some applications, a different phototoxicity curve isappropriate but the methodology for calculation is the same. Forexample, for intraocular lens (IOL) applications, the aphakicphototoxicity curve should be used. Moreover, new phototoxicity curvesmay be applicable as the understanding of the phototoxic lightmechanisms improves.

As shown by the exemplary data described above, a system according toembodiments of the present invention may selectively inhibit blue light,specifically light in the 400 nm-450 nm region, while still providing aphotopic luminous transmission of at least about 85% and a phototoxicityration of less than about 80%, more preferably less than about 70%, morepreferably less than about 60%, and more preferably less than about 50%.As previously described, a photopic luminous transmission of up to 95%or more also may be achievable using the techniques described herein.

The principles described herein may be applied to varied illuminants,filters, and skin tones, with the objective of filtering some portion ofphototoxic blue light while reducing pupil dilation, scotopicsensitivity, color distortion through the ophthalmic device, andcosmetic color of an external ophthalmic device from the perspective ofan observer that views the person wearing the device on their face.

Several embodiments of the invention are specifically illustrated and/ordescribed herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications andvariations of embodiments of the invention are covered by the aboveteachings and within the purview of the appended claims withoutdeparting from the spirit and intended scope of embodiments of theinvention. For examples, although the methods and systems describedherein have been described using examples of specific dyes, dielectricoptical filters, skin tones, and illuminants, it will be understood thatalternative dyes, filters, skin colors, and illuminants may be used.

Example 2

Nine patients were tested for contrast sensitivity using dyeconcentrations of 1× and 2× against a clear filter as a control 7 of the9 patients showed overall improved contrast sensitivity according to theFunctional Acuity Contrast Test (FACT). See Table VI:

TABLE VI Contrast sensitivity test for dye samples with loadings of Xand 2X. Test was done in February, 2007 at Vision Associates in Havre deGrace, Maryland by Dr. Andy Ishak. The test consisted of 10 patients,each tested with two filters, using the FACT contrast sensitivitytesting process 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1 DottedDotted Dotted Dotted Dotted Solid 2 A B C D E A 3 NO Lt Dk NO Lt Dk NOLt Dk NO Lt Dk NO Lt Dk NO Lt 4 1 JP 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 7 6 5 1*  1* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  −1** 6 2 BJ 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 3 3 3 4 3 3 7 5 7 1*  1* 0 0  −1**  −1** 0 0  −1**  −1**  −2** 8 3 JB 8 8 8 6 7 7 5 5 7 54 5 1 3 5 9 9 9 0 0  1*  1* 0  2*  −1** 0  2*  4* 0 10 4 AW 7 7 8 6 7 86 5 7 5 5 6 4 4 5 6 7 11 0  1*  1*  2*  −1**  1* 0  1* 0  1*  1* 12 5 LL7 6 6 6 6 5 2 5 3 1 4 4 1 3 2 6 6 13  −1**  −1** 0  −1**  3*  1*  3*  3* 2*  1* 0 14 6 TS 7 9 9 8 9 9 6 9 6 6 7 7 4 7 5 5 6 15  2*  2*  1*  1* 1* 0  1*  1*  3*  1*  3* 16 7 KS 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 4 4 3 2 2 2 1 1 5 6 17 00 0 0  −1**  −1**  −1**  −1**  −1**  −1**  1* 18 9 DS 5 6 6 5 7 7 5 6 63 5 5 1 4 4 5 6 19  1*  1*  2*  2*  1*  1*  2*  2*  3*  3*  1* 20 10 NK9 9 21 0 22 Tot 51  55  56  49  54  54  44  46  47  31  35  37  21  29 29  59  62  23 Delta 4 5 5 5 2 3 4 6 8 6 3 24 Avg   6.4   6.9   7.0  6.1   6.8   6.8   5.5   5.8   5.9   3.9   4.4   4.6   2.6   3.6   3.6  6.6   6.9 25 Delta   0.5   0.6   0.6   0.6   0.3   0.4   0.5   0.8  1.0   1.0   0.3 26 27 Better (gr)  4*  5*  4*  4* 3  4*  3*  4*  4* 5*  4* 28 Worse (rd) 2 1 1 2 3 2 2 1 3 3 3 1 2 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 2728 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 1 Solid Solid Solid Solid Solid Number 2 A B C DE Tot Better Worse 3 Dk NO Lt Dk NO Lt Dk NO Lt Dk NO Lt Dk Diff (gr)(rd) 4 1 JP 7 6 6 7 6 7 6 5 5 5 5 2 4 5 0 0  1* 0 0 0  −3**  −1** −1   4* 3 6 2 BJ 6 7 7 7 8 7 7 6 6 6 4 5 5 7  −1** 0 0  −1**  −1** 0 0  1* 1* −5   4  6** 8 3 JB 9 7 9 9 8 8 8 5 6 9 4 4 5 9 0  2*  2* 0 0 1 4 0 1* 19  10* 1 10 4 AW 7 6 6 7 5 6 7 3 4 6 3 5 6 11  1* 0  1*  1*  2* 1 3 2*  3* 21  15* 1 12 5 LL 6 6 5 6 2 6 4 3 2 3 2 4 2 13 0  −1** 0  4*  2* −1** 0  2* 0 16   9* 6 14 6 TS 6 6 8 8 7 8 8 4 5 5 4 4 4 15  3*  2*  2* 1*  1* 1 1 0 0 27  17* 0 16 7 KS 5 5 5 4 2 4 4 2 2 3 1 1 1 17 0 0  −1** 2*  2* 0 1 0 0 −1   4  7** 18 9 DS 7 6 6 6 5 5 5 3 4 4 2 3 3 19  2* 0 00 0 1 1  1*  1* 25  16* 0 20 10 NK 9 9 9 8 7 7 8 4 5 7 4 6 8 21 0 0 −1** 0  1* 1 3  2*  4* 10   5* 1 22 Tot 64  58  57  35  39  48  29  34 38  23 Delta 5 3 4 8 7 4 13  5 9 111  24 Avg   7.1   6.4   6.8   6.9  5.6   6.4   6.3   3.9   4.3   5.3   3.2   3.8   4.2   5.6 25 Delta  0.6   0.3   0.4   0.9   0.8   0.4   1.4   0.6   1.0 26 27 Better (gr) 3* 2  4*  5*  5*  5*  6*  5*  5* 28 Worse (rd) 2 2 3 2 2 2 1 2 2Comments: 1. Patient number 8 data was dropped. This patient was a 60 yrold, diabetic, with cataracts 2. Patient 10 was tested in one eye only3. The terms dotted and solid refer to the two eyes of the patients, howthey were shown on test result forms 4. The headings “NO”, refer tolenses with clear filter, ie control. The terms Lt and Dk refer to thedye loading in the tested filters. 5. For each patient, the top line istheir actual score. Second line is the difference with filters versusnon filtered “control” 6. Boxes marked with (*) showed improvement,boxes with (**) showed negative results. 7. Total scores (line 22) addup how all patients scored on a specific test column 8. Total Difference(column 33) shows how each patient scored overall on all 5 test columns(A-E) for both eyes 9. Note, each patient (except #10) had 20opportunities to score a difference 2 eyes × 5 columns on the test × 2filters 10. Better and Worse numbers (rows 27-28, columns 34-35) simplyadd up the opportunities that scored better with the filters or worse,versus the clear controlResults

-   -   1. 7 of the 9 patients showed overall improved contrast        sensitivity results (columns 33-35)    -   2. Patients overall showed improvement in both eyes on 18 of the        20 opportunities (2 eyes×two filters×five FACT columns) (rows        27-28)    -   3. On average, patients improved by 0.3-1.4 for all 20        opportunities (row 25)

In an embodiment of the invention, an ophthalmic lens is comprised of adye that causes the lens to selectively inhibit transmission of visiblelight between 450±50 nm and has a yellowness index of not more than35.0. More preferably, the dye selectively inhibits transmission ofvisible light between 430±30 nm and has a yellowness index of not morethan 35.0. The dye selected to inhibit transmission would also blocklight wavelengths across the entire range, as well providing a morefocused blocking in just the preferred subset of the range. Morepreferably, the dye would cause the lens to block at least 5%,preferably 10%, more preferably 20%, more preferably 30%, or mostpreferably 40% of light having a wavelength of 450±50 nm. Further, thedye would cause the lens to block at least 5%, preferably 10%, morepreferably 20%, more preferably 30%, more preferably 40% or mostpreferably 50% of light having a wavelength of 430±30 nm.

As used herein, “dye” refers to a chemical or chemicals that can beadded to the lens materials or coatings which absorb light at a specificwavelength or wavelengths.

It is preferred to selectively inhibit transmission of visible lightbetween 450±50 nm because blue light wavelengths fall in the approximaterange of 400 nm to 500 nm. Blue light in this range is believed to causedamage to eye cells that can result in a number of adverse conditionssuch as macular degeneration and other retinal disease such a uvealmelanoma. Thus, it is desirable to block the specific light wavelengthsthat have been shown to cause adverse conditions. Further, for manyapplications it may be desirable to selectively inhibit less than 50% ofblue light, and/or the specific wavelengths inhibited may vary. It isbelieved that in many applications cell death may be reduced orprevented by blocking less than 50% of blue light. For example, it maybe preferred to selectively inhibit about 40%, more preferably about30%, more preferably about 20%, more preferably about 10%, and morepreferably about 5% of light. Selectively inhibiting a smaller amount oflight may allow for prevention of damage due to high-energy light, whilebeing minimal enough that the inhibition does not adversely affectscotopic vision and/or circadian cycles in a user of the system.Additionally, in some cases it may be preferred to block a lowerpercentage such as 5% in order to maintain a low yellowness index so asnot to distort the viewer's perception of color. In other cases it maybe preferable to provide more blocking, such as at 50%, where due to thenature and material of the lens, the effects of a higher yellownessindex may be better tolerated or accepted by the user. In other cases,due to the type of ophthalmic lens and dye utilized, a blocking of atleast 10% to at least 40% is preferred in order to strike a balancebetween protection from blue light waves and other concerns such asaesthetic appeal and adverse biological effects.

In some cases it may be particularly desirable to filter a relativelysmall portion of the blue spectrum, such as light between 430±30 nm. Ithas been found that blocking too much of the blue spectrum can interferewith scotopic vision and circadian rhythms. Conventional blue blockingophthalmic lenses typically block a much larger amount of wide range ofthe blue spectrum, which can adversely affect the wearer's “biologicalclock” and have other adverse effects. Thus, it may be desirable toblock a relatively narrow range of the blue spectrum as describedherein. Exemplary system that may filter a relatively small rangeinclude systems block or absorb at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%,at least 30%, at least 40%, or at least 50%. Further as discussed above,in some cases it may be preferred to block a lower percentage such as 5%in order to maintain a low yellowness index so as not to distort theviewer's perception of color. In other cases it may be preferable toprovide more blocking, such as at 50%, where due to the nature andmaterial of the lens, the effects of a higher yellowness index may bebetter tolerated or accepted by the user. In other cases, due to thetype of ophthalmic lens and dye utilized, a blocking of at least 10% toat least 40% is preferred in order to strike a balance betweenprotection from blue light wavelengths and other concerns such asaesthetic appeal and adverse biological effects.

The ophthalmic lens may be selected from prescription ornon-prescription ophthalmic lenses known to those of skill in the art.By way of example, see lenses listed and described above.

Some embodiments of the invention use a dye such as bilirubin;chlorophyll a, diethyl ether; chlorophyll a, methanol; chlorophyll b;diprotonated-tetraphenylporphyrin; hematin; magnesiumoctaethylporphyrin; magnesium octaethylporphyrin (MgOEP); magnesiumphthalocyanine (MgPc), PrOH; magnesium phthalocyanine (MgPc), pyridine;magnesium tetramesitylporphyrin (MgTMP); magnesium tetraphenylporphyrin(MgTPP); octaethylporphyrin; phthalocyanine (Pc); porphin;tetra-t-butylazaporphine; tetra-t-butylnaphthalocyanine;tetrakis(2,6-dichlorphenyl)porphyrin; tetrakis(o-aminophenyl)porphyrin;tetramesitylporphyrin (TMP); tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP); vitamin B12;zinc octaethylporphyrin (ZnOEP); zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), pyridine;zinc tetramesitylporphyrin (ZnTMP); zinc tetramesitylporphyrin radicalcation; zinc tetrapheynlporphyrin (ZnTPP); perylene and derivativesthereof, or any dye, synthetic or non-synthetic pigments, antioxidants,photochromics, visibility and/or cosmetic tint in a contact lens or anymaterial means that elicits a yellowness index of 35.0 or less.

By way of example, in embodiments of the present invention that utilizea dye, the dye may be: within the polymer, in a film or films, in acoating or coatings, in one or more anti-reflective coatings, in one ormore hard coats, in one or more primer coats, in any layer of the lens,in various concentration (ppm) based upon the yellowness indexspecifications, a visibility tint or tints in a contact lens, in asunglass, incorporated in a photochromic lens, in one or more rings,zones, layers and/or peaks, a cosmetic tint or tints, varying in slopeor slopes, color balancing, or any combination of the above. It isunderstood that the previous list is non-exclusive and is merelyexemplary.

In a further embodiment, the dye would block 5%-40% of light having awavelength of 450±50 nm, while have a luminous transmission of at least80%. More preferably, the dye would block 5%-50% of light having awavelength of 430±30 nm, while have a luminous transmission of at least80%.

In another inventive embodiment the dye used would cause the lens toblock at least 5% of light having a wavelength of X±15 nm, where X is awavelength in the range of 415-485 nm. More preferably, the dye wouldcause the lens to block at least 10%, or more preferably 20%, or morepreferably 30%, or most preferably 40% of light having a wavelength ofX±15 nm.

It is a further embodiment to utilize a contact lens wherein theyellowness index is not more than 35.0, or more preferably not more than27.5, or most preferably not more than 20.0.

For embodiments that utilize contact lenses, it may be preferred tomaintain a low yellowness index of not more than 35.0 in order to avoidaffecting perceived color and in order to avoid a cosmeticallyunappealing appearance of yellowness in the lens itself, while stillmaintaining protection from the blue spectrum. As contact lenses are atype of ophthalmic lens that are handled by the wearer, are smallrelative to spectacle lenses, and may be difficult to find if dropped, aslightly higher yellowness index may be tolerated, and perhaps even bedesirable to provide a handling tint, in a contact lens as opposed toother ophthalmic lenses. However, it is still desirable to maintain ayellowness sufficiently low as to avoid undesirable cosmetic effects.Thus, a yellowness index value of no more than 35.0 is desired, asanything above this value may result in a lens that is too yellow andsubsequently will not cosmetically appealing as its color may beobservable even while it is in place in the user's eye. In some cases itmay be preferred to maintain a yellowness index of not more than 27.5 inorder to balance protection, color perception and cosmetic appeal, andin other instances a yellowness index of not more than 20.0 may bepreferred.

It is a further embodiment to utilize a spectacle lens wherein theyellowness index is not more than 15.0, more preferably not more than12.5, or most preferably not more than 10.0.

For embodiments that utilize spectacle lenses, it may be preferred tomaintain a low yellowness index of not more than 15.0 in order to avoidaffecting perceived color and in order to avoid a cosmeticallyunappealing appearance of yellowness in the spectacle lens itself, whilestill maintaining protection from the blue spectrum. A yellowness indexvalue of no more than 15.0 is preferred as yellowness index values thatare higher may result in a yellow tint in the spectacle lens that iscosmetically unappealing. In some cases it may be preferred to maintaina yellowness index of not more than 12.5 in order to balance protection,color perception and cosmetic appeal, and in other instances ayellowness index of not more than 10.0 may be preferred.

It is a further embodiment to utilize an intraocular lens wherein theyellowness index is not more than 23.0 or more preferably not more than15.0.

For embodiments that utilize intraocular lenses, it may be preferred tomaintain a low yellowness index of not more than 23.0 in order to avoidaffecting perceived color and in order to avoid a cosmeticallyunappealing appearance of yellowness in the spectacle lens itself, whilestill maintaining protection from the blue spectrum. This value may behigher than that for other embodiments, such as spectacle lenses, as inthe case of intraocular lenses the lens is implanted into the eye andthus, the concern for cosmetic appeal is somewhat lessened. In somecases it may be preferred to maintain a yellowness index of not morethan 15.0 in order to balance protection, color perception and cosmeticappeal.

Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more frontand/or back AR coats, film(s), primer(s), hardcoat(s), Hydrophobiccoat(s), central/peripheral zone differential(s), electroactive(s), orany additional coating or layer or combination of coatings or layers.

In order to further protect the human eye from exposure to both harmfulhigh energy visible light wavelengths and UV light and optionally IRlight non-ophthalmic applications for embodiments of the invention arealso included. A “non-ophthalmic system” includes any light transmissivestructure, excluding ophthalmic lenses, through which light passes onits way to a viewer, as well as skin creams and lotions. By way ofexample only some non-ophthalmic systems may include: artificiallighting (non-sunlight), diffusers, any type of light bulb, windows,windshields, aircraft windows, instruments, operating devices and otherequipment used by ophthalmologists and other eye care professionals toexamine the eyes of patients, medical devices, telescopes, binoculars,hunting scopes for rifles, shotguns, and pistols, computer monitors,television sets, camera flashes, virtually any and all electronicdevices that emit or transmit visible light, or any type of product ordevice whereby visible light is emitted or travels through said productor device whereby light from that product or device enters the human eyewhether the light is filtered or not by the product or device can beenabled with embodiments of the invention. A non-ophthalmic system mayfurther include dermatological products such as any skin or hairproduct, suntan and sunscreen products, lip stick, lip balm, anti-ageingproducts, oils, or acne products. Furthermore, military and spaceapplications also apply as acute and/or chronic exposure to high energyvisible light, UV, and also IR can potentially have a deleterious effecton soldiers and astronauts.

It is another embodiment of this invention to provide a non-ophthalmicsystem where the system contains at least one dye that causes the lensto selectively inhibit transmission of visible light between 450±50 nmand has a yellowness index of not more than 35.0. Preferably, the dyeselectively inhibits transmission of visible light between 430±30 nm andhas a yellowness index of not more than 35.0. More preferably, the dyeselectively inhibits transmission of visible light between 435±20 nm andhas a yellowness index of not more than 35.0. The dye selected toinhibit transmission would also block light wavelengths across theentire range, as well providing a more focused blocking in just thepreferred subset of the range. More preferably, the dye would cause thelens to block at least 10%, or more preferably at least 20%, or morepreferably at least 30%, or most preferably 40% of light having awavelength of 450±50 nm while having a luminous transmission of at least80%. Further, the dye may block at least 10%, or more preferably atleast 20%, or more preferably at least 30%, or most preferably 40%light, or most preferably 50% of light having a wavelength of 430±30 nmwhile having a luminous transmission of at least 80%.

It is a further embodiment that the non-ophthalmic system may have ayellowness index of not more than 23.0 or more preferably not more than15.0.

Embodiments described with respect to ophthalmic application may also beused in non-ophthalmic embodiments.

It is a further embodiment of the current invention to incorporate aunique double selective filter with two peaks within the visible lightspectrum along with some or all UV protection. The amount of selectivefiltering within the visible light spectrum can vary along with theslope of the spectral curve depending on the intended application of thesystem. This is illustrated in FIGS. 49A-O. Transmission values, aspercentages, are shown for wavelengths 380-513 nm in Tables VII andVIII.

TABLE VII Two Peak Transmission Spectra Peaks are modeled as gaussiancurves Transmission averages are simple averages which do NOT take intoaccount the sensitivity of the eye to weighting (luminous transmission)Same peak depth and width Vary peak depth Vary peak width Scenario 1 2 34 5 6 7 8 9 Average 85.0 83.0 80.0 85.0 83.0 80.0 85.0 83.0 80.0 Peak1Scale 22 50 73 38 20 68 6 50 80 Peak2 Scale 22 50 73 5 80 80 25 50 40St. Devation1 2 4 6 2 4 6 6 2 8 St. Devation2 2 4 6 2 4 6 2 6 6 Wave- TT T T T T T T T length (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) 380 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 381 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 382 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 383 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 384 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 385 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 386 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3870 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 388 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 389 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 390 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 391 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 392 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 303 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 394 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 395 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 396 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0397 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 398 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 399 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40090.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 89.9 401 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 89.9 402 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.089.8 401 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 89.7 404 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 89.6 405 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 89.4 406 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 89.1 407 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 88.7 408 90.0 90.0 89.9 90.0 90.0 89.990.0 90.0 88.2 409 90.0 90.0 89.8 90.0 90.0 89.9 90.0 90.0 87.4 410 90.090.0 89.7 90.0 90.0 89.7 90.0 90.0 86.5 411 90.0 90.0 89.5 90.0 90.089.5 90.0 90.0 85.2 412 90.0 90.0 89.2 90.0 90.0 89.2 89.9 90.0 83.6 41390.0 90:0 88.7 90.0 90.0 88.8 89.9 90.0 81.6 414 90.0 90.0 87.9 90.090.0 88.4 89.8 90.0 79.2 415 90.0 90.0 86.8 90.0 90.0 87.0 89.7 90.076.2 416 90.0 89.9 85.2 90.0 90.0 85.5 89.6 90.0 72.7 417 90.0 89.7 83.090.0 89.9 83.5 89.4 90.0 68.6 418 90.0 89.4 80.1 90.0 89.8 80.8 89.290.0 64.0 419 90.0 88.9 76.4 90.0 89.5 77.3 88.9 90.0 58.9 420 90.0 87.871.8 90.0 89.1 73.0 85.5 90.0 53.4 421 90.0 86.0 66.3 90.0 88.4 67.988.1 90.0 47.5 422 90.0 83.2 60.0 90.0 87.3 62.0 87.5 90.0 41.5 423 90.079.2 53.0 89.9 85.7 55.6 87.0 89.9 35.4 424 89.8 73.8 45.7 89.6 83.548.8 86.4 89.4 29.6 425 89.0 67.1. 38.4 88.3 80.8 41.9 85.8 87.8 24.2426 87.0 59.7 31.5 84.9 77.9 35.5 85.2 83.2 19.4 427 82.9 52.3 25.6 77.774.9 30.0 84.7 73.8 15.4 428 76.7 45.9 20.9 67.0 72.4 25.7 84.3 59.712.5 429 70.6 41.5 18.0 56.5 70.6 22.9 84.1 45.9 10.6 430 68.0 40.0 17.052.0 70.0 22.0 84.0 40.0 10.0 431 70.6 41.5 18.0 56.5 70.6 22.9 84.145.9 10.6 432 76.7 45.9 20.9 67.0 72.4 25.7 84.3 59.7 12.5 433 82.9 52.325.6 77.7 74.9 30.0 84.7 73.8 15.4 434 87.0 59.7 31.5 84.9 77.9 35.585.2 83.2 19.4 435 89.0 67.1 38.4 88.3 80.8 41.9 85.8 87.8 24.2 436 89.873.8 45.7 89.6 83.5 48.8 86.4 89.4 29.6 437 90.0 79.2 53.0 89.9 85.755.6 87.0 89.9 35.4 438 90.0 83.2 60.0 90.0 87.3 62.0 87.5 90.0 41.5 43990.0 86.0 66.3 90.0 88.4 67.9 88.1 90.0 47.5 440 90.0 87.8 71.8 90.089.1 73.0 88.5 90.0 53.4 441 90.0 88.9 76.4 90.0 89.5 77.3 88.9 90.058.9 442 90.0 89.4 80.1 90.0 89.8 80.8 89.2 90.0 64.0 443 90.0 89.7 83.090.0 89.9 83.5 89.4 90.0 68.6 444 90.0 89.9 85.2 90.0 90.0 85.5 89.690.0 72.7 445 90.0 90.0 86.8 90.0 90.0 87.0 89.7 90.0 76.2 446 90.0 90.087.9 90.0 90.0 88.1 89.8 90.0 79.2 447 90.0 90.0 88.7 90.0 90.0 88.889.9 90.0 81.6 448 90.0 90.0 89.2 90.0 90.0 89.2 89.9 90.0 83.6 449 90.090.0 89.5 90.0 90.0 89.5 90.0 90.0 85.2 450 90.0 90.0 89.7 90.0 90.089.7 90.0 90.0 86.5 451 90.0 90.0 89.8 90.0 90.0 89.9 90.0 90.0 87.4 45290.0 90.0 89.9 90.0 90.0 89.9 90.0 90.0 88.2 453 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 88.7 454 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.089.1 455 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 89.4 456 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 89.6 457 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 89.7 458 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 89.8 459 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 89.9 460 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 89.9 461 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 462 90.090.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 463 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 464 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 46590.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 466 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 467 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 468 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 469 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 470 90.0 90.0 89.7 90.0 90.0 89.7 90.089.8 89.8 471 90.0 90.0 89.5 90.0 90.0 89.5 90.0 89.7 89.7 472 90.0 90.089.2 90.0 90.0 89.1 90.0 89.4 89.6 473 90.0 90.0 88.7 90.0 90.0 88.690.0 89.1 89.3 474 90.0 90.0 87.9 90.0 90.0 87.7 90.0 88.6 88.9 475 90.090.0 86.8 90.0 89.9 86.5 90.0 87.8 88.2 476 90.0 89.9 85.2 90.0 89.884.7 90.0 86.7 87.4 477 90.0 89.7 83.0 90.0 89.6 82.3 90.0 85.2 86.2 47890.0 89.4 80.1 90.0 89.1 79.2 90.0 83.2 84.6 479 90.0 88.9 76.4 90.088.2 75.1 90.0 80.7 82.5 480 90.0 87.8 71.8 90.0 86.5 70.1 90.0 77.580.0 481 90.0 86.0 66.3 90.0 83.6 64.0 90.0 73.8 77.0 482 90.0 83.2 60.090.0 79.2 57.1 90.0 69.4 73.6 483 90.0 79.2 53.0 90.0 72.7 49.5 89.964.7 69.7 484 89.8 73.8 45.7 89.9 64.0 41.5 89.7 59.7 65.7 485 89.0 67.138.4 89.8 53.4 33.5 88.9 54.7 61.7 486 87.0 59.7 31.5 89.3 41.5 25.986.6 50.0 58.0 487 82.9 52.3 25.6 88.4 29.6 19.4 81.9 45.9 54.7 488 76.745.9 20.9 87.0 19.4 14.3 74.8 42.7 52.2 489 70.6 41.5 18.0 85.6 12.511.1 67.9 40.7 50.6 490 68.0 40.0 17.0 85.0 10.0 10.0 65.0 40.0 50.0 49170.6 41.5 18.0 85.6 12.5 11.1 67.9 40.7 50.6 492 76.7 45.9 20.9 87.019.4 14.3 74.8 42.7 52.2 493 82.9 52.3 25.6 88.4 29.6 19.4 81.9 45.954.7 494 87.0 59.7 31.5 89.3 41.5 25.9 86.6 50.0 58.0 495 89.0 67.1 38.489.8 53.4 33.5 88.9 54.7 61.7 496 89.8 73.8 45.7 89.9 64.0 41.5 89.759.7 65.7 497 90.0 79.1 53.0 90.0 72.7 49.5 89.9 64.7 69.7 498 90.0 83.260.0 90.0 79.2 57.1 90.0 69.4 73.6 499 90.0 86.0 66.3 90.0 83.6 64.090.0 73.8 77.0 500 90.0 87.8 71.8 90.0 86.5 70.1 90.0 77.5 80.0 501 90.088.9 76.4 90.0 88.2 75.1 90.0 80.7 82.5 502 90.0 89.4 80.1 90.0 89.179.2 90.0 83.2 84.6 503 90.0 89.7 83.0 90.0 89.6 82.3 90.0 85.2 86.2 50490.0 89.9 85.2 90.0 89.8 84.7 90.0 86.7 87.4 505 90.0 90.0 86.8 90.089.9 86.5 90.0 87.8 88.2 506 90.0 90.0 87.9 90.0 90.0 87.7 90.0 88.688.9 507 90.0 90.0 88.7 90.0 90.0 88.6 90.0 89.1 89.3 508 90.0 90.0 89.290.0 90.0 89.1 90.0 89.4 89.6 509 90.0 90.0 89.5 90.0 90.0 89.5 90.089.7 89.7 510 90.0 90.0 89.7 90.0 90.0 89.7 90.0 89.8 89.8 511 90.0 90.089.8 90.0 90.0 89.8 90.0 89.9 89.9 512 90.0 90.0 89.9 90.0 90.0 89.990.0 89.9 90.0 513 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 89.9 90.0 90.0 90.0 Average85.0 83.0 80.0 85.0 83.0 80.0 85.0 83.0 80.0

TABLE VIII Two Peak Transmission Spectra Peaks are modeled as gaussiancurves Transmission averages are simple averages which do NOT take intoaccount the sensitivity of the eye to weighting (luminous transmission)More blockage More blockage at at 430 nm 490 nm Scenario 10 11 12 13 1415 Average 84.6 83.5 82.5 84.6 83.5 82.5 Peak1 Scale 50 60 70 25 20 10Peak2 Scale 25 20 10 50 60 70 St. Deviation1 2 4 6 2 4 6 St. Devation2 24 6 2 4 6 Wavelength T (%) T (%) T (%) T (%) T (%) T (%) 380 0 0 0 0 0 0381 0 0 0 0 0 0 382 0 0 0 0 0 0 383 0 0 0 .0 0 0 384 0 0 0 0 0 0 385 0 00 0 0 0 386 0 0 0 0 0 0 387 0 0 0 0 0 0 388 0 0 0 0 0 0 389 0 0 0 0 0 0390 0 0 0 0 0 0 391 0 0 0 0 0 0 392 0 0 0 0 0 0 393 0 0 0 0 0 0 394 0 00 0 0 0 395 0 0 0 0 0 0 396 0 0 0 0 0 0 397 0 0 0 0 0 0 398 0 0 0 0 0 0399 0 0 0 0 0 0 400 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 401 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 90.0 402 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 403 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 404 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 405 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 406 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 407 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0408 90.0 90.0 89.9 90.0 90.0 90.0 409 90.0 90.0 89.8 90.0 90.0 90.0 41090.0 90.0 89.7 90.0 90.0 90.0 411 90.0 90.0 89.5 90.0 90.0 89.9 412 90.090.0 89.2 90.0 90.0 89.9 413 90.0 90.0 88.7 90.0 90.0 89.8 414 90.0 90.088.0 90.0 90.0 89.7 415 90.0 89.9 86.9 90.0 90.0 89.6 416 90.0 89.9 85.490.0 90.0 89.3 417 90.0 89.7 83.3 90.0 89.9 89.0 418 90.0 89.3 80.5 90.089.8 88.6 419 90.0 88.6 77.0 90.0 89.5 88.1 420 90.0 87.4 72.5 90.0 89.187.5 421 90.0 85.2 67.3 90.0 88.4 86.8 422 90.0 81.9 61.2 90.0 87.3 85.9423 89.9 77.0 54.6 89.9 85.7 84.9 424 89.4 70.5 47.5 89.7 83.5 83.9 42587.8 62.5 40.5 88.9 80.8 82.9 426 83.2 53.6 33.9 86.6 77.9 82.0 427 73.844.7 28.2 81.9 74.9 81.2 428 59.7 37.1 23.8 74.8 72.4 80.5 429 45.9 31.821.0 67.9 70.6 80.1 430 40.0 30.0 20.0 65.0 70.0 80.0 431 45.9 31.8 21.067.9 70.6 80.1 432 59.7 37.1 23.8 74.8 72.4 80.5 433 73.8 44.7 28.2 81.974.9 81.2 434 83.2 53.6 33.9 86.6 77.9 82.0 435 87.8 62.5 40.5 88.9 80.882.9 436 89.4 70.5 47.5 89.7 83.5 83.9 437 89.9 77.0 54.6 89.9 85.7 84.9438 90.0 81.9 61.2 90.0 87.3 85.9 439 90.0 85.2 67.3 90.0 88.4 86.8 44090.0 87.4 72.5 90.0 89.1 87.5 441 90.0 88.6 77.0 90.0 89.5 88.1 442 90.089.3 80.5 90.0 89.8 88.6 443 90.0 89.7 83.3 90.0 89.9 89.0 444 90.0 89.985.4 90.0 90.0 89.3 445 90.0 89.9 86.9 90.0 90.0 89.6 446 90.0 90.0 88.090.0 90.0 89.7 447 90.0 90.0 88.7 90.0 90.0 89.8 448 90.0 90.0 89.2 90.090.0 89.9 449 90.0 90.0 89.5 90.0 90.0 89.9 450 90.0 90.0 89.7 90.0 90.090.0 451 90.0 90.0 89.8 90.0 90.0 90.0 452 90.0 90.0 89.9 90.0 90.0 90.0453 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 454 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 45590.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 456 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 457 90.090.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 458 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 459 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 460 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 461 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 90.0 462 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 463 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 90.0 464 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 465 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.090.0 466 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 467 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0468 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 469 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 47090.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 89.7 471 90.0 90.0 89.9 90.0 90.0 89.5 472 90.090.0 89.9 90.0 90.0 89.2 473 90.0 90.0 89.8 90.0 90.0 88.7 474 90.0 90.089.7 90.0 90.0 88.0 475 90.0 90.0 89.6 90.0 89.9 86.9 476 90.0 90.0 89.390.0 89.9 85.4 477 90.0 89.9 89.0 90.0 89.7 83.3 478 90.0 89.8 88.6 90.089.3 80.5 479 90.0 89.5 88.1 90.0 88.6 77.0 480 90.0 89.1 87.5 90.0 87.472.5 481 90.0 88.4 86.8 90.0 85.2 67.3 482 90.0 87.3 85.9 90.0 81.9 61.2483 89.9 85.7 84.9 89.9 77.0 54.6 484 89.7 83.5 83.9 89.4 70.5 47.5 48588.9 80.8 82.9 87.8 62.5 40.5 486 86.6 77.9 82.0 83.2 53.6 33.9 487 81.974.9 81.2 73.8 44.7 28.2 488 74.8 72.4 80.5 59.7 37.1 23.8 489 67.9 70.680.1 45.9 31.8 21.0 490 65.0 70.0 80.0 40.0 30.0 20.0 491 67.9 70.6 80.145.9 31.8 21.0 492 74.8 72.4 80.5 59.7 37.1 23.8 493 81.9 74.9 81.2 73.844.7 28.2 494 86.6 77.9 82.0 83.2 53.6 33.9 495 88.9 80.8 82.9 87.8 62.540.5 496 89.7 83.5 83.9 89.4 70.5 47.5 497 89.9 85.7 84.9 89.9 77.0 54.6498 90.0 87.3 85.9 90.0 81.9 61.2 499 90.0 88.4 86.8 90.0 85.2 67.3 50090.0 89.1 87.5 90.0 87.4 72.5 501 90.0 89.5 88.1 90.0 88.6 77.0 50 90.089.8 88.6 90.0 89.3 80.5 503 90.0 89.9 89.0 90.0 89.7 83.3 504 90.0 90.089.3 90.0 89.9 85.4 505 90.0 90.0 89.6 90.0 89.9 86.9 506 90.0 90.0 89.790.0 90.0 88.0 507 90.0 90.0 89.8 90.0 90.0 88.7 508 90.0 90.0 89.9 90.090.0 89.2 509 90.0 90.0 89.9 90.0 90.0 89.5 510 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.089.7 511 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 89.8 512 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 89.9513 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 90.0 Average 84.6 83.5 82.5 84.6 83.5 82.5

Thus, in a further embodiment of the invention, an ophthalmic lens mayinclude a dye that causes the lens to selectively inhibit transmissionof visible light in at least two different ranges of wavelengthsselected from the range of 450±50 nm. The transmission spectrum woulddemonstrate two distinct valleys with a region of higher transmissionbetween the two valleys. For example see FIG. 48 -O. More preferably,the dye would selectively inhibit transmission of visible light having awavelength of X1±15 nm and light having a wavelength of X2±15 nm, whereX1 is a wavelength in the range of 415-485 nm and X2 is a wavelengthdifferent from X1 and in the range of 415-485 nm. More preferably, thedye would cause the lens to block at least 5% or preferably 10%, or morepreferably 20%, or more preferably 30%, or most preferably 40% of lightwithin the specified wavelengths.

It is a further embodiment of the invention to use a film or more thanone film in an ophthalmic or non-ophthalmic system may selectivelyinhibit at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, and/or at least 60% of light betweenabout 400 nm to about 500 nm or less than 500 nm.

The invention can be enabled by various means. By way of example onlythe film or films could be: one or more AR coatings, more than oneprimer coat, more than one hard coat or scratch resistant coating, oneor more hydrophobic coating(s), a cosmetic or visibility tinted contactlens (one or more colors) with either solid color or colors across theentire lens or less than the entire lens, zones of color or colors in acontact lens, or a ring or rings of color in a contact lens.

Other components of the film or films could include carotenoids, eitherin a natural or synthetic or derivative state. By way of example only,lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids and are organic pigments thatoccur naturally in plants. They are exclusively derived from nutritionalorigin and are not synthesized in the body. Lutein and zeaxanthinselectively accumulate in ocular tissues, including the lens and themacula. The macular pigment provides a protective role in inhibitingdamaging wavelengths within the blue light visible spectrum. The macularpigment contains higher concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin than anyother structure in the human body.

Furthermore, synthetic or non-synthetic antioxidants or derivatives canalso enable the invention. By way of example only: trans-resveratrol,epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), vitamins A, C, D,and E, and omega-3 fatty acids could be incorporated into the film orfilms. Zinc could also be incorporated into the film.

Another embodiment could include dyes, as described in U.S. Pat. No.7,556,376 assigned to High Performance Optics in more than one film.

Applications for the film or films are wide reaching. Virtually anydevice or system that transmits light or light passes through filteredor unfiltered before reaching the eye or retina can be enabled with theinvention. By way of example only: all ophthalmic devices in allmaterials are included such as ophthalmic prescription andnon-prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, contact lenses, IOL's,corneal implants, corneal inlays, corneal onlays, electro-activedevices, photochromic glasses, all types of contact lenses, andcomposites.

Other applications could include by way of example only: any type ofwindows, automotive windshields, aircraft windows, camera flash bulbsand lenses, any type of artificial lighting fixture (either the fixtureor the filament or both), fluorescent lighting or any type of diffuser,medical instruments, surgical instruments, rifle scopes, binoculars,computer monitors, televisions screens, lighted signs or any other itemor system whereby light is emitted or is transmitted or passes throughfiltered or unfiltered.

The film or films can be made of any material or materials known in theart. U.S. Pat. No. 7,556,376 (assigned to High Performance Optics)describes various film types. Photopic luminous transmission andphototoxicity measurements are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,556,376assigned to High Performance Optics.

It is now well known that both UV and blue light are implicated in eyeand skin disease. Blue light is implicated in retina disease, primarilymacular degeneration. In the eye varying the concentration of blue lightblocking dye in about the 400-460 nm range has a direct correlation withthe level of retina protection. A sunglass would provide the greatestprotection. For example, the Waterman's sunglass lens, U.S. Pat. No.7,029,118 by Ishak exhibits 0.34% average blue light transmission. Indesigning a mostly clear ophthalmic (non-sunglass lens) lens with 80% orgreater light transmission across the visible spectrum, select bluelight wavelengths are targeted to maximize retinal protection andprovide acceptable lens cosmetics.

Laboratory evidence by Sparrow at Columbia University has shown thatthat if about 50% of the blue light within the wavelength range of430±30 nm range is blocked, RPE cell death caused by the blue lightexposure may be reduced by up to 80%. This level of blocking wouldrequire a level of dye concentration that would not be acceptable in anophthalmic eyeglass lens, especially with regard to night driving, colorvision, lens cosmetics, and possibly circadian rhythms.

The UV/visible light, excitation, and emission spectra of A2E inmethanol are shown in FIG. 50 . The absorbance spectrum 5010 has a majorpeak at 435 nm and the excitation spectrum, monitored at 600 nmemission, had a maximum at 418 nm 5020.

Further laboratory evidence by Sparrow at Columbia University for HighPerformance Optics has shown that concentrations of blue light filteringdyes with levels as low as 1.0 ppm and 1.9 ppm can provide retinalbenefit in a mostly colorless system, “Light Filtering in RetinalPigment Epithelial Cell Culture Model” Optometry and Vision Science 88;6 (2011): 1-7, is referenced in its entirety. As shown in FIGS. 51 and52 in this report it is possible to vary the concentration of the filtersystem to a level of 1.0 ppm or greater to a level of about 35 ppm asexampled with perylene dye. Any concentration level between about 1.0ppm or greater to about 35 ppm can enable the invention. Other dyes thatexhibit similar blue light blocking function could also be used withsimilar variable dye concentration levels.

FIG. 51 shows cell viability in irradiated (430 nm) cultures of ARPE-19cells that had accumulated A2E. Filters containing variable levels ofdye (approximately 1.0 ppm, 1.9 ppm, 3.8 ppm, 7.5 ppm, 15 ppm, and 35ppm) or no dye (PC) were placed in the light path. Viability wasquantified by MTT assay and the bar height is indicate of MTT absorbanceand reflects viability. The mean is ±SEM of 5 experiments.

FIG. 52 shows quantification of viable RPE cells after A2E accumulationand blue light illumination (430 nm), with and without a blue-lightabsorbing filter placed in the light path. Filter contained variablelevels of dye (approximately 1.0 ppm, 1.9 ppm, 3.8 ppm, 7.5 ppm, 15 ppm,and 35 ppm) or no dye (PC). The percent of viable cells was determinedby labeling all nuclei with DAPI and the nuclei of nonviable cells witha membrane-impermeable dye. The data were normalized to valuesdetermined in the absence of a filter and are presented as percentviable cells. In FIG. 52 p<0.001 as compared to A2E, 430 nm and the meanis ±SEM of 3 experiments.

In some cases it may be particularly desirable reduce the actionspectrum of A3E, which has been shown by Sparrow, “The LipofuscinFluorophore A2E Mediates Blue Light-Induced Damage to Retinal PigmentedEpithelial Cells,” Optometry and Vision Science 41; 7 (2000): 1981-89,to have a major peak in the absorbance spectrum at 435 nm, FIG. 50 .

It is another embodiment of this invention to inhibit visible lightbetween 435±20 nm in an ophthalmic lens such as a contact, intraocularlens or spectacle lens. Other ophthalmic lenses, for example thosediscussed previously, may also be utilized. It is another embodiment ofthis invention to inhibit visible light between 435±20 nm in anon-ophthalmic system.

Many dyes, synthetic or non-synthetic and/or any derivative(s) orcombination of such can enable the embodiments of the invention wherebythe absorption curve design yields on or more peaks within about the400-460 nm range with 80% or greater visible light transmission. Inother embodiments the wavelength range is about 400-500 nm. In otherembodiments the wavelength range is about 400-475 nm. By way of example,the following filters, dyes, or antioxidants could be used to enable theinvention: perylene; magnesium tetraphenyl porphyrin, coumarin 6,coumarin 30, yellow orange, acridyne acridyne, lutein, zeaxanthin, andmelanin. Many filter(s), dye(s), or any anti-oxidant(s) can be includedin one or more combinations to enable the invention. One of skill in theart, with the guidance provided herein, can select appropriate materialsand incorporate them into an ophthalmic or non-ophthalmic structure inan appropriate amount.

For example, in FIG. 53 perylene and magnesium tetraphenyl porphyrin(MgTPP) are shown with varying concentration levels. Any modification ofthe concentration level is possible as long as light transmission of 80%or greater across the visible light transmission is achieved. In aphotochromic system this would be in an unactivated (indoor) state.

In other embodiments of the invention, targeted wavelengths could bechosen to promote the integrity of the RPE and/or the macular pigment.With regard to the RPE, one or more than one lipofuscin chromophores canbe targeted.

An ophthalmic system by way of example can include: a sunglass lens,eyeglass lens, photochromic lens, any type of a contact lens with andwithout visibility tinting and/or cosmetic tinting, intra-ocular lens,corneal onlay, corneal inlay, and electroactive lenses.

Any type of chemical hook or hooks or other method or methods orcombination of methods to reduce or eliminate dye leaching in any systemcan be added to embodiments of the invention.

Other embodiments of the invention could include yellowness index levelssuch as ASTM E313-05. Preferably the selective filter has a yellownessindex level that is no more than 50, 40, 35, 30, 25, 23, 20, 15, 10, 9,7, or 5.

The invention can be enabled by any means known in the ophthalmicindustry. By way of example only one or more AR coats, one or morefilms, one or more hard coats, one or more primer coats, one or morehydrophobic coats or any combination of coatings, films, or dyes canenable the invention.

Other embodiments of the invention include dermatologic application. Byway of example only, the selective blue light filter can be included in:any skin or hair product; suntan and sunscreen products, lip stick, lipbalm, anti-ageing products, oils, or acne products.

In other embodiments, non-ophthalmic systems can be enabled by theinvention. Any non-ophthalmic system whereby, light transmits through orfrom the non-ophthalmic system can be enabled by the invention. By wayof example only, a non-ophthalmic system could include: automobilewindows and windshields, aircraft windows and windshields, any type ofwindow, computer monitors, televisions, medical instruments, diagnosticinstruments, lighting products, fluorescent lighting, or any type oflighting, product or light diffuser.

Any amount of light that reaches the retina can be filtered byembodiments of the invention and can be included in any type of system:ophthalmic, non-ophthalmic, dermatological, or industrial.

Other embodiments of the invention include a wide variation in how theselective filter can be added to any system in varying concentrationsand/or zones and/or rings. For example, in an eyeglass lens the selectfilter does not necessarily need to be uniform throughout the entiresystem or in any fixed concentration. An ophthalmic lens could have oneor more zones and/or rings of varying filter concentration or anycombination of such.

In other embodiments the filter can be uniform or mostly uniformthroughout the system.

In other embodiments, one or more layers of the filter can be used toenable the invention.

One concern for dyes which selectively filter light in the blue regionof the visible light spectrum is that this absorption may affect thecolor of the light in transmission. Anytime that some wavelengths arefiltered relative to others, there will be a difference in the spectrumof light which enters the eye after passing through the lens (filter).Depending on the magnitude of the changes at specific wavelengths, thisfiltering may cause imperceptible or perceptible changes in color. Whileeach individual's eyes are unique, the effects to an average observercan be estimated by using mathematical models which account the colorperception for typical human observers.

Spectral transmission data measured using the Ocean Optics USB 200spectrometer from 380-780 nm at 1 nm increments for perylene- andMgTMP-dyed lenses. The spectrometer software automatically calculatedthe average transmission, T_(avg), the luminous transmission T_(v), andthe color parameters L*, a*, b*, hue angle, and chroma. The transmissionat 430 nm (T₄₃₀), the average transmission over the range 415-430 nm(T₄₁₅₋₄₃₀), and the yellowness index (YI) were calculated using an excelspreadsheet.

The lenses measured were demo lenses created in Fall 2010 with thefollowing characteristics:

Perylene-dyed ODC Lens Material Semi-Finished Blanks Surfaced to 2.1 mmand backcoated (2 ppm, 3 ppm, and 4 ppm dye)

MgTMP-dyed polycarbonate molded/coated samples from NoIR at dye levelsof 1.8 and 3.7 ppm.

The yellowness index was calculated using the transmission data,equation 1, and the coefficients in ASTM E313-05 see Table IX below.Yellowness index was calculated assuming a CIE-D₆₅ light source with1931 (2° viewing angle) standard illuminant factors.YI=100(C _(x) X−C _(z) Z)/Y  (1)where X, Y, and Z are the CIE Tristimulus values and the coefficientsdepend on the illuminant and observer as indicated in Table IX belowfrom the ASTM E313-05 standard. The 1964 D₆₅ standard illuminant factorsare for a 10° viewing angle. Table IX shows the coefficients of theequations for the yellowness index.

TABLE IX CIE Standard Illuminant and Standard Observer Quantity C, 1931D₆₅, 1931 C, 1964 D₆₅, 1964 X_(n) 98.074 95.047 97.285 94.811 Y_(n)100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000 Z_(n) 118.232 108.883 116.145 107.304F_(A) 0.7987 0.8105 0.7987 0.8103 F_(B) 0.2013 0.1895 0.2013 0.1897C_(x) 1.2769 1.2985 1.2871 1.3013 C_(z) 1.0592 1.1335 1.0781 1.1498Residual error −0.0006 −0.0004 −0.0004 −0.0006

The summary of the measured and calculated data is shown in Tables X andXI below. The yellowness index as only calculated for a few of thesamples. FIG. 54 shows the transmission spectra for representativelenses at each dye level.

TABLE X YI T415- (E313- Description Tavg Tv T430 430 L a* b* Hue (*)Chroma 05) Air 100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.01 0.01 0.01 68.4 0.0c-1 87.5% 91.0% 89.6% 89.0% 96.42 −0.41 0.70 120.6 0.8 0.8 c-2 87.8%91.1% 90.1% 89.8% 96.45 −0.29 0.48 121.0 0.6 2 ppm1 87.7% 91.1% 86.2%85.4% 96.44 −1.01 2.06 116.1 2.3 2.8 2 ppm2 87.1% 91.0% 85.4% 84.3%96.40 −1.20 2.40 116.6 2.7 3.2 2 ppm3 87.7% 91.2% 86.2% 85.2% 96.47−1.08 2.14 116.9 2.4 2 ppm4 87.6% 91.1% 86.1% 84.9% 96.43 −1.10 2.18116.8 2.4 2 ppm5 87.2% 91.2% 85.4% 84.5% 96.45 −1.20 2.33 117.1 2.6 2ppm6 87.4% 91.2% 86.1% 84.9% 96.44 −1.10 2.21 116.5 2.5 2 ppm7 87.6%91.3% 86.1% 85.1% 96.49 −1.08 2.22 115.9 2.5 2 ppm8 87.4% 91.1% 85.8%84.8% 96.43 −1.14 2.27 116.7 2.5 3 ppm1 86.7% 91.1% 82.9% 81.5% 96.39−1.65 3.39 116.0 3.8 4.5 3 ppm2 86.8% 91.0% 83.2% 81.7% 96.36 −1.60 3.32115.7 3.7 4.5 3 ppm3 87.0% 91.1% 83.6% 81.9% 96.42 −1.64 3.29 116.4 3.73 ppm4 86.9% 91.1% 83.4% 82.0% 96.39 −1.60 3.24 116.3 3.6 3 ppm5 86.6%91.0% 82.6% 80.9% 96.36 −1.78 3.57 116.5 4.0 3 ppm6 86.5% 91.1% 82.5%80.8% 96.37 −1.81 3.62 116.6 4.1 3 ppm7 86.5% 91.0% 82.5% 80.9% 96.35−1.77 3.58 116.3 4.0 3 ppm8 87.1% 91.1% 84.0% 82.5% 96.39 −1.51 3.10116.0 3.4 4 ppm1 85.8% 90.9% 78.9% 76.7% 96.28 −2.47 5.04 116.1 5.6 6.74 ppm2 86.7% 91.1% 81.4% 79.5% 96.35 −2.00 4.17 115.7 4.6 5.7 4 ppm386.6% 91.1% 80.9% 79.1% 96.38 −2.07 4.24 116.0 4.7 4 ppm4 86.5% 91.0%81.0% 79.0% 96.35 −2.09 4.30 115.9 4.8 4 ppm5 86.7% 91.2% 81.6% 79.8%96.44 −1.97 4.03 116.0 4.5 4 ppm6 86.7% 91.1% 81.6% 79.7% 96.38 −1.964.07 115.7 4.5 4 ppm7 86.6% 91.1% 81.5% 79.6% 96.38 −1.99 4.08 116.0 4.54 ppm8 86.4% 91.0% 80.8% 78.9% 96.33 −2.08 4.30 115.8 4.8

TABLE XI YI T415- (E313- Description Tavg Tv T430 430 L a* b* Hue(*)Chrome 05) Air 100.0%  100.1%  100.0%  100.0%  100.03 −0.01 0.01 145.9 0Poly Control 1 88.8% 91.6% 89.9% 89.9% 96.63 −0.18 0.68 105.3 0.7 0.9Poly Control 2 88.9% 91.6% 89.9% 90.2% 96.67 −0.18 0.59 107.5 0.6Mg2-1(1.8 87.3% 90.8% 71.9% 78.2% 96.27 −1.4 3.53 111.6 3.8 5.1 ppm)Mg2-2 86.9% 90.5% 70.6% 77.4% 96.16 −1.45 3.69 111.5 4.0 5.3 Mg2-3 87.1%90.7% 73.6% 77.9% 96.23 −1.4 3.47 112 3.7 Mg2-4 87.0% 90.7% 72.3% 77.9%96.2 −1.41 3.52 111.8 3.8 Mg2-5 87.1% 90.8% 72.9% 77.3% 96.25 −1.47 3.62112.1 3.9 Mg2-6 87.1% 90.7% 72.4% 77.6% 96.24 −1.39 3.55 111.4 3.8 Mg2-787.0% 90.7% 74.5% 77.6% 96.23 −1.38 3.52 111.5 3.8 Mg2-8 87.1% 90.7%73.6% 77.7% 96.24 −1.43 3.54 111.9 3.8 Mg1-1(3.7 85.6% 89.9% 62.1% 69.9%95.85 −2.16 5.52 111.4 5.9 7.8 ppm) Mg1-2 85.8% 90.0% 61.9% 70.8% 95.9−2.06 5.32 111.2 5.7 7.5 Mg1-3 85.4% 89.8% 60.6% 68.3% 95.81 −2.29 5.87111.3 6.3 Mg1-4 85.5% 89.9% 605% 691% 95.85 −2.24 5.66 111.6 6.1 Mg1-585.2% 89.7% 59.2% 67.9% 95.79 −2.35 5.95 111.5 6.4 Mg1-6 85.5% 89.9%60.6% 68.8% 95.87 −2.25 5.74 111.4 6.2 Mg1-7 85.2% 89.7% 60.9% 67.6%95.78 −2.34 5.96 111.4 6.4 Mg1-8 85.8% 90.0% 62.0% 69.1% 95.9 −2.24 5.58111.9 6.0

The MgTMP shows a single absorption peak at slightly lower wavelengththan the perylene. The average and luminous transmission changes onlyslightly with different dyes and dye levels since the absorption occursover a narrow region of blue wavelengths where the eye is notparticularly sensitive. More significant differences are observed forthe transmission at 430 nm and from 415-430 nm due to the absorptioncharacteristics of the dyes. The hue angle, which corresponds to thecolor perceived in transmission, is similar for all cases. The chroma,which is the intensity of this color, increases with higher dye levelsas does the yellowness index. This tradeoff of color intensity andyellowness versus transmission is expected.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a lighttransmission filter configured to: block 5% to 50% transmission of bluelight having a wavelength within a range of 400-500 nm such thatenergetic blue light photons are prevented from reaching a human eye,wherein the light transmission filter is a component of a first film, afirst layer, or a first coating, and provide an average lighttransmission of at least 80% across a wavelength range of 460-700 nm;and a color balancing element configured to reduce, offset, neutralize,or compensate for an unwanted color effect of the light transmissionfilter such that a desired color of light transmitted through theelectronic device reaches the human eye, wherein the color balancingelement is a component of a second film, a second layer, or a secondcoating, and wherein the color balancing element is disposed on thelight transmission filter or the light transmission filter is disposedon the color balancing element.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the light transmission filter is a separate component from thecolor balancing element.
 3. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe electronic device is a computer monitor.
 4. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the electronic device is a television.
 5. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a displaydevice.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the wavelength iswithin a range of 400-475 nm.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the wavelength is within a range of 400-460 nm.
 8. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the wavelength is within a rangeof 415-455 nm.
 9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the lighttransmission filter comprises an absorbing dye.
 10. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the light transmission filter comprises aporphyrin dye.
 11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the colorbalancing element comprises a blue dye.
 12. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the color balancing element comprises a mixture of redand green dyes.
 13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the lighttransmission filter is configured to block the blue light by absorption,reflection, interference, or a combination thereof.
 14. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the light transmission filter is incorporatedinto a film of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) or poly vinyl butyral (PVB). 15.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the light transmission filtercomprises UVA and UVB inhibitors.
 16. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the unwanted color effect is a yellow or an amber color effect.17. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the light transmissionfilter is a blue light filter.
 18. A display device comprising: a bluelight filter configured to: block 5% to 50% of transmission of bluelight having a wavelength within a range of 400-500 nm such thatenergetic blue light photons are prevented from reaching a human eye,wherein the blue light filter is a component of a first film, a firstlayer, or a first coating, and provide an average light transmission ofat least 80% across a wavelength range of 460-700 nm; and a colorbalancing element configured to reduce, offset, neutralize, orcompensate for a yellow or an amber color effect of the blue lightfilter such that a desired color of light transmitted through thedisplay device reaches the human eye, wherein the color balancingelement is a component of a second film, a second layer, or a secondcoating, and wherein the color balancing element is disposed on the bluelight filter or the blue light filter is disposed on the color balancingelement.
 19. The display device of claim 18, wherein the display deviceis a computer monitor.
 20. The display device of claim 18, wherein thedisplay device is a television.